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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


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THE    AMERICA    CUP. 


THE 


AMERICA    CUP 


%   ftantititl   !poem 

Descriptive    of   the   Five   International   Races   between   the 

Yacht  Livonia,  representing  the  Twelve  Yacht  Clubs 

OK  THE  Royal  Yacht   Squadron  of    England  ; 

and  THE  Yachts  Columbia  and  Sappho, 

of  the  New  York  Yacht  Club, 

for  the  possession  of 

THE  CHALLENGE  CUP 

WON    BY   THE    YACHT    AMERICA    IN    THE    YEAR 
1851. 


NEW    YORK. 
1874. 


Kntcred  accordinjj  to  Act  of  Cougrcss,  iu  the  ycur  1874,  by 

lIATkllLTON  MORTON, 
in  the  Oflice  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Wasliington. 


Manufactured  by 

G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS, 

Fourth  A  vfnve  and  Twenty-third  Street, 

Nkw  YoiiK. 


pf 


oosn 


rAns 


TO  THE 
NEW  YORK  YACHT  CLUB, 

THE  MOST  PROMINENT  ASSOCIATION  REPRESENTING  THE 
PLEASURE  NAVY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  THIS 
EPISODE  IN  THEIR  NAUTICAL  HISTORY  IS  APPRECIATIVELY 
DEDICATED    BY    THE    AUTHOR, 

HAMILTON    MORTON, 

LATE   SECKETARY   OF    THE    CLUB, 


1125320 


«--^/©^x£;^SS4§«^^ 


•»C7U4(i""C9<'. 


The   America   Cup 


A    NAUTICAL    POEM; 


TAMES  ASHBURY  was  a  citizen 

Of  credit  and  renown, 
A  yachting  captain  eke  was  he, 

Of  famous  Brighton  town. 


He  to  his  yachting  friends  did  say, 
For    spouse,  save  yacht,  he  'd  none, 
"  It 's    twice  ten  years    we  've  yachting  been, 
And  yet  that  cup  's  not  won. 


3- 

"  Last  year  I  took  the  job  in  hand, 
And  crossed  the  briny  deep, 

When  lo !    a  fleet,  their  canvas  spread. 
That  queenly  cup  to  keep. 


"  This  year,  we  '11  turn  the  tables  sure, 

And  we  will  all  repair 
Unto  the  course  at  Sandy   Hook, 

My  spouse  shall  meet  me  there. 

5- 

"In  person  I,  in  spirit  you. 

That  cup  we  're  bound  to  bring- 
Back  to  its  native  '  Sea-Girt  Isle,' 
Or  up!  the  squill-gee  fling." 

6. 

They  all  replied,  "  we  do  admire 
Of  yachting  men  but  one  ! 

And  you  are  he;  our  'Plucky  Jim.' 
Therefore  it  shall  be  done." 


—  3 


Said  James,   "  I   am  a  yachtsman  bold, 

As  all  the  world  doth  know, 
But  steam  is  quick  !   and  then,  't  is  safe, 

In  steamer   I   will  go." 

8. 

Quoth  James's  friends,  •' that  is  well  said. 

And  you  shall  foot  the  bills. 
You  're  too  well  furnished  with  your  own. 

To  need  our  scanty  rills." 


Then  James  he  hugg'd  his  friends  all  round, 

Overjoyed  was  he  to  find, 
That  though  on  racing  they  were  bent. 

They  had  a  frugal  mind. 

lO. 

But  then,  to  get  those  yacht-clubs  o'er, 

That  was  no  easy  job, 
'I   have 't,"  said  James  unto  himself, 

"  I'll  put  them  in  my  fob  !  " 


II. 

To  start  the  fleet  Livonia  then, 
The  next  thing  to  be  done, 
"Away!"  said  James!  "  your  anchors  weigh, 
And  leave  your  Island  home ! " 

12. 

The  sails  went  up,  the  capstan  turned, 
Her  mud-hooks  quick  broke  ground, 

With  rousing  cheers  from  twelve  yacht-clubs, 
The  Solent,  did  resound ! 

13. 

"  Speed  on,  good   yacht !  your  chalky  cliffs, 
Fade  o'er  the  waters  blue ! 
To  wrest  that  cup  from  foreign  hands. 
Will  Knight  me  Champion  true  ! " 

14. 

O'er  crested  wave  of  dark  blue  sea. 

As  James  did  steam  along, 
What  unborn  triumphs  crowded  thick, 

To  be  rehearsed  in  song ! 


—  5  — 

15. 

Then  thy  pictorial  genius,  too, 

Immortal  Gregory ! 
Will  paint  the  victories  of  your  boss, 

His  triumphs  o'er  the  sea. 

1 6. 

But  now  and  then  a  glance  he  'd  cast 
Westward,  towards  Sandy  Hook, 

Debating  how,  that  cup  he  'd  win, 
Whether  by  hook  or  crook. 

17- 

And  thus  the  pros  and  cons  were  scann'd, 

Ere  half  the  seas  were  o'er, 
Visions  of  failure,  doubts  and  fears, 

Perplexed  his  mind  full  sore. 

i8. 

Then  said  he,  to  his  travelling  friend, 
"  I  'm  not  afraid  of  '  Keelers, ' 
But  'Centre-boards,'  those  skimming  dishes, 
They  're  ugly  craft,  they  11  peel  us  ! 


—  6  — 

19. 

"  '  Plato  thou  rcasonest  well ! '   I  dread 
The  falling  far  behind, 
They  '11  take  the  cream  from  off  our  milk, 
And  beat  us  stony  blind. 

20. 

•'  They  're  mongrels  of  the   Ocean  wave  ! 
Prize  thieves  in  shore  and  out : 
But  never  mind,   Flukes  is  our  game  ! 
We  '11  bag  the  cup,  no  doubt. " 

21. 

The  ocean  passed,  the  seas  gone  o'er, 
The  conquering  Hero  comes, 

Arise,  Committee-men,  to  work  ! 
No  longer  twirl  your  thumbs. 

22. 

You  have  a  weighty  charge  to  keep, 

Yet  all  vou  have  to  do. 
Scan  well  that  liberal  Deed  of  Trust, 

See,  what  it  had  in  view  ! 


—  7  — 

23- 

Whatever  schemes  or  plans  are  laid, 

Departing  from  its  spirit, 
Must  meet  with  censure,  and  they  all. 

Your  just  rebuke  will  merit. 

24. 

Ungracious  task,  we  know  it  is, 

To  meet  exacting  claim, 
And  much  more  so,  when  you  may  think, 

One-sided  is  the  game. 

25- 

Tho'  great  events  are  on  the  gale, 
A  Nation's  glory !  or  her  shame, 

The  muse  must  take  the  swallow's  wing. 
That  glory  or  that  shame  to  sing. 

26. 

The  war  of  pen  and  tongue  is  o'er, 

'Honors  they  are  easy,' 
Greek  meeting  Greek  's  the  tug  of  war, 

Diamond  cuts   diamond  leasy. 


27- 

The  Apostolic  Twelve  clone  brown, 

Served  a  la  conge  up, 
Six  naval  contests  settles  then 

Who  owns  the  ''Queenly  cup." 

28. 

Three  clays  upon  the  light  green  sea, 

And  three  on  the  dark  blue, 
Six  days  of  labor,  seventh  rest? 

Unless  one  wins,  twice  two. 

29. 

Thus  history  repeats  itself, 

With  centre-boards  and  keels ! 

When  Gilpin  raced,  six  gents  were  there, 
With  "Post-boy"  at  their  heels! 

30- 

'Twas  then  James  to  his  friends  did  say, 

"  How  much   I  do  admire 
The  skill  and  tact  of  yachting  men. 
When   Prize  cups,  they  desire. 


—  9  — 

31- 

"  Last  year,  you  know,  we  met  their  fleet, 
And  we  were  beaten  sore, 
This  year  we  're  better  off,  you  see, 
We  fight  with  only  four ! " 

32. 

Now  Kempy  had  a  pleasant  wit, 

And  loved  a  timely  joke, 
And  to  the  Husband  of  the  ship. 

In  merry  guise  he  spoke : 

33- 

"We  will  the  Mediums  straight  consult, 
And  interview  the  donors, 
They  surely  know  their  own  intent. 
And  thus  we'll  earn  the  Honors." 

34. 

Now  James,  he  was  right  glad  to  find 

His  friend  a  merry  guide, 
Show'd  then  he  had  some  ready  wit. 

And  thus  to  him  replied  : 


lO 


35. 

'You  don  the  Medium's  mantle  quick, 

Make  bee-line  up  above, 
Survivor,   I   will  hob-nob  here, 

We  're  sure  the  thing  to  prove  1 " 


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Jftrst   llarr. 


COLUMBIA  AND  LIVONIA, 

OVER 

THE   N.    Y.    Y.    CLUB    COURSE. 


I. 


HP  HE  course  is  laid,  the  yacht  is  named, 

'Twas  one  October  morn, 
That  season  of  the  waning  year, 

When  forest  trees  new  Hveries  wear. 


II. 

When  Nature  pHes  the  artist's  power. 
And  makes  each  fading  leaf  a  flower, 

When  Flora  comes  to  second  birth, 
And  readorns  the  fading  earth. 


12 


III. 


'  T  was  in  that  season  of  the  year, 

One  bright  October  morn, 
That  Beam  met  Ballast  met  to  win 

A  laurel-leaf,  or  thorn. 

IV. 

The  champion  yachts  at  anchor  ride, 

Columbia  on  the  lee, 
The  wind  was  off  from  Nor'-Nor'-West, 

Tide  ebbing  to  the  sea. 

V. 

Livonia,  won  the  weather-gage. 
Both  headed  towards  the  shore, 

Their  chains  all  ready  to  be  slipped. 
They  hear  steam-whistle  roar. 

VI. 

Up  go  their  jibs,  both  pay  to  port. 

Columbia  gets  the  start, 
Livonia  follows  in  her  wake. 

Sonic   thirty  lengths   apart. 


—  13  — 

VII. 

The  land-breeze  freshens !  On  they  go ! 

The  gap  is  growing  wider, 
Stern-chase  we  know,  is  often  long. 

To  helmsman  or  to  rider. 

VIII. 

Long  ere  they  reach  the  Sou' -West  Spit, 
'  T  was  like  a  tale  that  's  told, 
If  we  bar  chance,  as  well  as  flukes, 
Or  if  we  are  not  sold. 

IX. 

Rounding  the  Spit  in  gallant  style, 

Columbia  first  is  seen. 
Port-tacks  aboard,  she  heads  for  sea. 

With  wind  abaft  the  beam. 

X. 

They  Ve  passed  the  point  of  Sandy   Hook, 

And  buoy  on  outer  bar, 
Livonia  comes,  still  following  on. 

Astern  about  as  far. 


—   14  — 

XI. 

Our  steam-tug  headed  out  to  sea, 

With  thirty  inches  steam, 
Her  engineer  gave  her  the  gad. 

She  foamed  on  either  beam. 

XII. 

Thus  bounding  o'er  the  swehing  wave, 
She  "Pulverized"  the  water, 

Two  bows  of  promise  then  were  seen. 
Upon  our  starboard  quarter ! 

XIII. 

The  steamboat  men  and  other  craft. 
The  course  wide  open  threw. 

For  well  they  knew,  fair  play  was  due. 
To  either,  yacht  and  crew. 

XIV. 

Hish  sio^ht  it  was,  to  see  those  vachts 
Come  booming  'fore  the  wind. 

With  every  stitch  of  canvas  set, 
Livonia  still  behind. 


—  15  — 

XV. 

The  Light-ship  's  now  th'  appointed  stake, 
And  East  they  take  their  flight, 

She  looms  above  the  white-capp'd  waves. 
And  greets  our  searching  sight. 

XVI. 

As  they  draw  near  their  "  kites  "  come  down, 

Preparing  for  the  round, 
That  hermit-ship  her  bell-rope  mans, 

Then  comes  the  signal  sound. 

XVII. 

Both  turned  the  ship  from   North  and  West, 

For  so  the  rule  enjoined, 
And  trimming  aft,  they  each  wore  ship, 

Livonia  more  behind. 

XVIII.  k 

On  bowline  taut,  they  're  homeward  bound, 

For  buoy  on  the  Spit, 
With  starboard  tacks,  tho'  well  aboard, 

They  can  't  quite  head  for  it. 


~   i6  — 


XIX. 


And  now,  while  on  their  homeward  course, 
A   "  long-board "  and  a  short  one. 

We  've  time  to  scan  these  oallant  yachts, 
And   give  our  sage  opinion. 

XX. 

No  Dofjberrian  wisdom  sure  ! 
No  feather  from  his  pinion, 
'T  is   Bunsby's  own,  a  solid  chunk, 
"  Opinion  as  is  opinion." 

XXI. 

Livonia,  type  of  England's  yachts, 

A  pattern-card  is  she  ! 
Lays  on  the  water  like  a  fish, 

But  sails  on  either  lee. 

XXII. 

Columbia,   tho'   it  freshly  blows, 

Stands  up  like  rooted  tree. 
And  able  boat !   due  to  her  beam. 

As  all  may  easy  see. 


—  17  — 

XXIII. 

The  one  like  knife  divides  the  wave, 

The  other  passes  o'er, 
The  one  has  better  Hnes  abaft. 

Than  those  she  has  before. 

XXIV. 

Livonia  wants  more  beam  and  bilge, 

Altho'  so  deep  a  craft, 
Columbia  may  have  beam  enough, 

But  wants  it  farther  aft. 

XXV. 

Livonia's  spars  are  dul)-  placed, 
Her  mainsail  is  her  mainsail. 

And  yet  't  do  n't  stretch  too  far  beyond, 
What  's  called  a  vessel's  taffrail. 

XXVI. 

Cclumbia  looks  to  windward  best, 

When  she  is  on  a  tack, 
For  where  she  points,  she  's  sure  to  fetch 

That  is  a  settled  fact. 


i8 


XXVII. 


Both  have,  of  course,  a  bone  in  mouth. 

Whene'er  it  freshly  blows, 
Livonia  least !  each  have  but  one. 

And  well  up  towards  their  bows. 

XXVIII. 

The  crested  wave  Columbia  makes, 

Is  but  the  surface  water, 
It  's  much  more  easy  to  displace, 

Take  less,  to  follow  after. 

XXIX. 

The  solid  wave  Livonia  makes, 

Before  her  cleaving  prow, 
Leaves  vacuum  aft,  to  be  filled  up, 

And  presses  back  her  bow^ 

XXX. 

But  now  Columbia  's  pass'd  the   Hook, 

Is  heading  for  the  buoy, 
She  rounds  it  from  the  South  and  West, 

Midst  shouts  of  unfeigned  joy. 


19 


XXXI. 


Her  kites  lay  loose  upon  the  deck, 

With  halyards  ready  bent, 
When  swift  as  thought,  the  fluttering  sails, 

Aloft  are  quickly  sent. 

XXXII. 

Away  she  flies  with  wind  abeam. 

Like  swallow  o'er  the  sea. 
While  crowded  steamers  follow  on, 

But  well  clear  of  her  lee. 

XXXIII. 

Livonia  's  far  astern  descried, 

With  all  her  canvas  set, 
True  sportsman  like,  she  still  hangs  on. 

"  Won't  give  it  up  quite  yet." 

XXXIV. 

The  judges  in  the  stake-boat  stand, 

Columbia  rushes  by, 
When  shouts  and  screaming  steam  proclaim, 

Her  well-earned  victory. 


20 


XXXV. 


The  hour-glass  is  half  run  out, 

Ere  the  Livonia  comes, 
Game  to  the  last,  she  yet  may  wear, 

Tho'  soiled,  her  wonted  plumes. 

XXXVI. 

Thus  ends  first  contest  for  the  cup. 

The  rest  are  still  in  store. 
What  they  will  teach,  we  've  yet  to  learn. 

We  hope  they  '11  teach  us  more. 

XXXVII. 

But  this  has  shown  to  nautic  eye, 

Head  wind  or  going  free. 
That  centre-boards  are  faster  craft, 
"  On  halcyon,  w^ave  or  sea. " 

XXXVIII. 

And  when  the  fates  we  did  consult, 

And   Delphian   Fane  invoke, 
Prophetic  voice  we  then  did  hear. 

And  these  the   words  it  spoke  : 


21 


XXXIX. 


In  cheering  words  that  voice  commands, 

"Go  boldly  in  the  fight, 
Who  sheds  the  foremost  foeman's  life, 
That  party  conquers  in  the  strife. " 


Secnnb  fxiue: 

COLUMBIA  AND  LIVONIA 
Ocear\   Course. 

20  ?4iles  to    Windward  and  Back. 


I. 


A  GAIN  we're  summoned  to  the  fight, 

To  see  what  we  may  see, 
That  Queenly  cup  is  now  at  stake, 
"  Super  altum  mare." 


II. 

We  reach  the  Island's  tranquil  bay. 

Some  yachts  are  anchored  there, 
Their  pennons  float  in  listless  guise, 

Fanned  by  a  gentle  air. 


—    24   — 

III. 

Scarce  ripprd  was  the  glassy  bay, 

And  some  were  heard  to  say, 
The  "  chance  is  poor,"  small  hope  there  is, 
"Of  gilded  spurs  to-day." 

IV. 

A  vet'ran  yachtsman  quick  replied, 

"  The  wind  is  bound  to  come, 
October's   Northers  freshen  up. 
Before  the  day  is  done." 

V. 

The  champion  yachts  had  left  o'er  night, 

To  reach  the  light-ship,  sure, 
Promptly  on  hand  they  're  bound  to  be, 

The  Queen's  cup  to  secure. 

VI. 

We  pass  some  on  their  seaward  way, 
With  wind,  tho'  light,  yet  fair, 

And  when  the  moor'd  ship  we  approach, 
Columbia,  she  is  there! 


—   25   — 
VII. 

This  Ocean  race,  was  haply  set, 
'Tween  centre-board  and  keel, 

Not  quite  so  happy  was  the  course, 
To  test  on  "tack,"  their  "heel." 

VIII. 

Columbia  had  her  pride  enhanced. 

Again   the  chosen  one 
To  "  beard  the  lion  in  his  den, " 

Upon  his  Ocean-home. 

IX. 

And  had  the  course  been  dead  "  a-lee.  " 
The  wind  Nor'-West-by-West, 

On  bow-line  taut  we  then  should  see. 
Which  of  the  yachts  were  best. 

X. 

But  Northing  in  the  outward  course,    ■ 
Both  ways,  the  wind  was  free  ! 

And  flowing  sheet  Livonia  wants. 
Her  very  game  you  see. 


—    26    — 
XI. 

Both  yachts  are  champing  on  their  bits, 

Impatient  for  the  word, 
They  head  towards  the  starting-Hne, 

Their  "  port-tacks  "  are  aboard. 

XII. 

The  flag  comes  down,  steam-whistle  sounds, 

Their  masted  jibs  trimm'd  aft. 
Like  quarter-horses  then  they  break, 

It  was  a  splendid  start ! 

XIII. 

Livonia,  this  time  gets  the  lead, 

And  keeps  it  to  the  stake ; 
And  lulling  wind  it  seems  to  us, 

Wider  the  gap  to  make. 

XIV. 

Heading  for  stake-boat  East-North-East, 

Off  the  Long  Island  shore. 
The  gap  grows  wide  and  wider  still, 

As  said  or  sung  before. 


—    27    — 
XV. 

But  long  before  the  "mark-boat's'''  reach'd, 

The  gap  becomes  much  less, 
Columbia  bringing  up  the  wind, 

Her  chances  are  the  best. 

XVI. 

And  when  they  drew  more  near  the  stake, 

Anchored  in  troubled  water, 
Columbia's  place  was  then  upon 

Livonia's  windward  quarter. 

XVII. 

They  turned  the  stake,  as  suits  them  best, 

Livonia  "  wears  "  around, 
Columbia  trimming  aft  her  sheets, 

Goes  over  much  less  ground. 

XVIII. 

Columbia  to  windward  was. 

But  several  lengths  astern, 
Livonia  luff'd  across  her  bow, 
"  Gibed  ship,"  the  stake  to  turn. 


28 


XIX. 


Columbia  put  her  helm  up, 

Avoiding  thus  delays ; 
She  pass'd  to  leeward  of  the  mark, 

And  turn'd  it  while  in  stays. 

XX. 

No  cause  for  "protest"  could  be  found, 

Both  vessels  had  the  right, 
To  turn  it  any  way  they  pleas'd, 

As  it  might  come  in  sight. 

XXI. 

Columbia's  tactics  win  the  lead, 
As  homeward  they  are  bound. 

And  with  the  fresh'ning  of  the  breeze. 
She  is  the  fleetest  found. 

XXII. 

And  now,  the  gap  's  the  other  way, 

She  drops  her  foe  behind, 
If  she  can  only  "  carry  on," 

She  '11  beat  Livonia  blind. 


—    29   — 
XXIII. 

But  that  's  much  easier  said  than  done, 
When  such  a  foe  's  on  hand, 

The  champion  of  the  Solent  wave, 
Among  the  first  may  stand. 

XXIV. 

October's  wind  is  "  piping  up," 

It  "s  now  a  youthful  gale. 
We  question  whether  either  yacht. 

Can  carry  all  its  sail ! 

XXV. 

It  's  squally,  too,  towards  close  of  day, 
And  "  kites "  have  long  been  down, 

Columbia's  foresail  in   the  "  bunt," 
There,  seamanship  is  shown. 

XXVI. 

Livonia  settles  "jib  away," 

But  hoists  a  smaller  one, 
Main  and  jib  topsail  both  come  down, 

The  rest  she  drags  along. 


—  30  — 

XXVII. 

Scupper  and  lee-rail  under  water, 

She  's  sailing  on  her  side, 
Columbia,  now  is  standing  up. 

And  makes  the  gap  more  wide. 

XXVIII. 

The  squall  has  pass'd,  reef'd  foresail  set, 

Ao^ain  she  vaults  alono: ! 
Dashing  the  spray  o'er  weather-bow, 

Fit  champion  she  for  song ! 

XXIX. 

The  yachts  now  sight  the  Light-ship's  place, 

A  "point"  on  their  lee-bow, 
The  wind  was  rather  dropping  out, 

And  kites  are  trumps  just  now. 

XXX. 

Columbia  sets  her  flying  jib, 

And  trims  her  sheets  still  more. 

With  bellying  canvas,  sweeps  us  by, 
And  now  she  's  cross'd  the  score. 


31  — 


XXXI. 


Now  may  we  sing  our  Nation's  Hymn, 
Let  shouts  on  shouts  arise, 

A  wreath  you  've  won  on  eitlier  sea, 
Thy  name  is  in  our  skies ! 


XXXII. 

You  've  shown  what  centre-boards  can  do, 

And  oped  Livonia's  eyes. 
Have  set  and  trimm'd  your  canvas  well. 

To  keep  that  Queenly  prize. 

XXXIII. 

Livonia,  two  miles  off  is  seen. 
With  all  the  "  rags "  she  '11  carry, 

A  distanc'd  yacht  looms  in  her  eye, 
'T  is  not  the  time  to  tarry. 

XXXIV. 

She  near'd,  then  cross'd,  the  fancied  line, 

Still  all  her  canvas  on. 
Both  yachts  w^ere  welcom'd  back  again, 

With  shouts  both  loud  and  long. 


—  32  — 

XXXV. 

While  they  were  off,  on  race  intent, 

The  yachts  that  follow'd  on, 
Cared  not  the  squalls  and  waves  to  face, 

But  turn'd  their  prows  t'wards  home, 

XXXVI. 

All  o'er  the  waters  of  the   Hook, 

Their  gambols  they  did  play  ; 
Ground,  high  and  lofty  tumbling,  then. 

The  order  of  the  day. 

XXXVII. 

But  then  they  'd  dash'd  that  "  swash  "  about. 

On  each  side  of  the  way, 
Just  like  a  school  of  dolphins  sleek, 

Or  wild  geese  at  their  play. 

XXXIVIII. 

Or  hke  a  flock  of  gulls  they  flew. 

By  canvas  borne  along. 
So  did  they  go  !  which  brings  us  to. 

The  middle  of  our  sons:. 


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COLUMBIA  AND  LIVONIA 


OVER 


TN£   N.    Y.    V.    CLUB    COURSE. 


I. 

r'^CTOBER'S  sun  again  arose, 
And  shone  both  clear  and  bright, 

And  summon'd  us  once  more,  unto 
The  friendly  Nautic  fight. 


II. 

Was  it  the  sun  of  Austerlitz 
Spangling  the  morning  dew? 

Or  that  same  orb,  whose  radiant  beams. 
Once  shone  o'er  Waterloo  ? 


34 
III. 


The  Bard  must  e'en  the  story  tell, 

As  it  was  seen  by  him, 
Nor  is  it  always  certain  sure. 

The  fastest  boat  will  win. 


IV. 


October's  "ides,"  not  March,  have  come 
But  ah,  they  have  not  gone! 

One  fatal  day  stands  aye  condemn'd, 
Would  it  had  ne'er  been  born  ! 


V. 


Again  we  Ve  reach'd  the  ruffl'd  bay, 

Abreast  of  Staten  Isle, 
The  wind  it  blew  from  West-Sou'-West, 

The  tide  it  ebb'd  the  while. 


VI. 


Of  champion  yachts  that  number'd  four, 
We  found  but  three  were  there  ! 

T  was  asked,  "  where  is  the  Sapphic  maid?" 
And  echo  answer'd,  "where?" 


—  35  — 

VII. 

And  then,  alas  !  too  soon  we  learn'd, 
The  "  Palmers  "  crippl'd  spar  ! 

And  "  Dauntless "  too,  had  come  to  grief. 
Both  yachts,   "  hors  de  combat.  " 

VIII. 

The  "  Palmer, "  who  so  oft  had  graced 
Our  Nautic  lists  before. 
Would  fain  have  donn'd  her  racing  orear, 
To  win  one  laurel  more, 

IX. 

But  fate  decreed,  she  ne'er  that  day 
Should  anchor  on  the   "  score, " 

To  help  to  save  that  Queenly  cup, 
She  would  have  sav'd  before. 

X. 

But  ne'er  despair,  that  day  will  come, 

And  test  your  Nautic  power, 
You  '11  meet  the  "Solent"  champion  yet, 

Then  show  her  your  best  "  bower. " 


-  36  - 

XI. 

The  "  Dauntless, "  as  her  name   impUes, 

Her  place  is  not  behind, 
Soon  gets  her  racing  "tacks"  aboard, 

And  starts  straight  for  the  "line." 

XII. 

While  being  to\v  d  to  take  her  place, 
Her  bowsprit  gear  was  "  fourd, " 

The  tug  still  straining  on  the  line. 
Parted  her  starboard  "  shroud.  " 

XIII. 

And  here  again  the  Fates  step  in. 

To  rule  this  Nautic  war. 
One  "  centre-board,  "  and  then  one   "  keel,  " 

Made  contest  still  more  fair. 

XIV. 

We  're  thus  reduc'd  to  only  one, 

To  meet  our  foreign  foe. 
Hard  fate  !   and  not  quite  fair  it  is, 

That  we  to  her  must  go. 


—  37  — 

XV. 

"  Livonia,  "  she  complacent  rides, 
She  feels  our  sad  distress, 
The  sympathetic  tear  she  drops 
Her  sorrow  doth  express. 

XVI. 

"  Columbia !  you  're  our  only  hope  ! 
'  T  is  true,  you  've  done  your  share, 
But  will  you  see  that  course  walk'd  o'er  ? 
Or  once  more  nobly  dare  ? 

XVII. 

Columbia  steps  straight  to  the  front. 
With  pace  tho'  slow,  yet  steady, 

Adopts  Livonia's  motto,  Scotia's  too. 
And  hails,  "  Ready,  aye  ready. " 

XVIII. 

But  ne'er  repine  at  Fate's  decrees, 

"  Whatever  is,  is  right,  " 
She  now  decrees  in  solemn  voice, 

"  Two  yachts  decide  this  fight.  " 


-  38  - 

XIX. 

And  as  "  th'  affairs  of  mice  and   men, 

Do  often  gang  a  gley, " 
Let  's  smooth  it  o'er,  as  best  we  may, 

And  call  it  Destiny. 

XX. 

But  this  one  truth  we  '11  ne'er  forget, 

We  '11  ponder  o'er  it  still, 
Rememb'ring  well,  things  wrong  begun, 

"  Make  strong  themselves  with  ill.'" 

XXI. 

Columbia  then,  is  ta'en  in  tow. 

And  anchor'd  on  the  score, 
But  on  the  toss  for  "weather-gage," 

Livonia  won   once  more. 

XXII. 

Again  they  pick  Columbia  up, 

To  place  her  on  the  lee, 
While  in  the  act  of  doing  so, 

The  flaos  come  down,  we  see. 


—  39  — 


XXIII. 


While  yet  to  North  and  East  of  stake, 

Signal  to  start  is  giv'n  : 
Livonia  "slips,"  away  she  goes!* 

By  ample  canvas  driven. 

XXIV. 

Columbia  "slips"  tug's  hawser  too, 

But  fills  away  to  starboard. 
She  makes  a  "  short  board  "  t'wards  the  shore, 

Then  "stays"  and  heads  to  larboard. 

XXV. 

Meanwhile   Livonia 's  well  ahead, 

T'  eighth  of  a  mile  or  more, 
Both  vessels  "  heel  "  to  western  breeze. 

That  comes  from  off  the  shore. 

XXVI. 

Livonia  now  has  pass'd  the  bluff. 
And  feels  the  bay-breeze  strong. 

On  bow-line  taut,  she  more  careens, 
But  then  she  goes  along. 


—  40  — 

XXVII. 

And  pointing  up  to  "^mdward  well, 

The  gap  she  widens  more, 
Columbia  keeps  too  near  the  heights. 

The  land  winds  pass  her  o'er. 

XXVIII. 

But  when  the  island's  bluif  she  's  pass'd, 
Feels  breeze  from  out  the  bay, 

In  water  smooth,  she  "buckles  to," 
And  feels  it  's  just  her  play. 

XXIX. 

She  soon  begins  to  gather  in, 
The  slack  on  start  she  'd  made. 

It  looks  as  tho'  again  she  M  cast, 
Livonia  in  the  shade. 

XXX. 

Both  vessels  now  are  heading  for 

The  buoy  of  the  Spit, 
The  tide,  strong  ebb,  it  sweeps  them  out, 

They  cannot  "weather"  it. 


—  41  — 

XXXI. 

Columbia  tries  by  "pinching  up," 

To  round  it  on  that  tack, 
Or  else  she  carries  "weather-helm,"' 

She  seems  "  head-sails "  to  lack. 

XXXII. 

Whatever  the  cause,  the  fact  is  clear, 

She  holds  uneven  course. 
The  wind  tho'  steady,  yet  the  flaws 

Strike  with  uncommon  force. 

XXXIII. 

And  soon  w^e  saw  her  flying  jib 
Dragging  beneath  her  bow, 

They  "  luff 'd  "  her  up,  to  take  it  in, 
Small  chance  for  her  just  now! 

XXXIV. 

Her  jib  was  quickly  got  aboard, 

And  then  she  "  fill'd  away, " 
But  ere  she  reached  the  turning  point, 
'  T  was  clear  she  'd  have  to  stay. 


—  42  — 

XXXV. 

And  so  slic  did  and  headed  west, 

The  buoy  thus  to  pass, 
Then  into  stays  she  went  again. 

But  this  was  not  her  last, 

XXXVI. 

For  soon  she  kiff'd  into  the  wind, 

Refus'd  to  "  pay  away  f ' 
One  head-sail  gone  !  in  sorry  plight, 

She  there  in  "  irons "'  lay. 

XXXVII. 

Misfortunes  come  not  single  file, 

But  trooping  their  array, 
J^or  when  she  took  the  wind  again, 

To  starboard  she  did  "  pay. " 

XXXVIII. 

But  soon  she  went  about  again. 
When  she   had  gather'd  "way," 

Then  starting  sheets  and  kites  aloft, 
Her  course  she  now  can   lay. 


—  43  — 


XXXIX. 


But  ah !  we  fear  the  game  is  up, 
We  mourn,  but  mourn  in  vain. 

One  thought  intrudes  upon  our  mind, 
But  don't  reheve  our  pain. 

XL. 

When   all  these  contre-temps  occurr'd, 
"  Oh  where  was  Roderick  then  !  " 

Those  blasts  upon  his  bugle-horn. 
Would  've  made  his  crew  all  men ! 

XLI. 

Oh  for  one  hour  of  "  Stevens'  "  might ! 

Or  well-skiird  "  James"  to  guide  the  fight. 
Maintain  for  "  beam,  "  its  Nautic  right. 

Preserve  its  prestige  clear  and  bright! 

XLII. 

Another  sight  had  seen  that  morn. 

From  fate's  dark  book,  a  leaf  been  torn, 

The  laurel  leaf  would  still  be  worn. 
Would   still   Columbia's  brow  adorn  ! 


—  44  — 

XLIII. 

Where  shall  we  look  for  solace  now, 

In  our  most  sad  distress, 
Chop-fallen  all,  save  only  one. 

That  fact  we  must  confess. 

XLIV. 

That  one,  he  's  of  Livonia's  crew, 
Whose  heart  exulting  leaps, 

To  see,  to  him  the  welcome  sight, 
Columbia  "  knock'd  in  heaps  !  " 

XLV. 

Around  the  deck  in  glee  he  glides, 
His  "dancing  tacks"  aboard, 

A  sort  of  powder-monkey  boy. 
With  features  round  and  broad. 

XLVI. 

Precocious  youth,  James'  shadow,  too ! 

With  artless,  graceful  leer. 
An  open  countenance  had  he, 

A  mouth  from  h'ear  to  h'ear. 


—  45  - 

XLVII. 


Livonia  long  had  turn'd  the  buoy, 

Was  far,  far  off  to  sea, 
With  canvas  full,  she  now  doth  head, 

For  light-ship  at  the  lee. 


XLVIII. 


Away  she  goes,  full  w^ell  she  knows, 

Columbia  is  used  up. 
She  carries  weight,  she  sails  a  race, 
'  T  is  for  a  Queenly  cup ! 


XLIX. 


With  sheets  all  free,  fore-sails  boom'd  out, 

Both  yachts  come  flying  on, 
Since  rounding  buoy  of  the  "  Spit, " 


Columbia  had  gain'd  some. 


L. 


They  now  have  reach'd  the  turning  point, 

Livonia  still  on  lead, 
Columbia  brought  the  breeze  along, 

'  T  was  that  increas'd  her  speed. 


-  46  - 


LI. 


'i'hcir  lighter  sails  arc  now  on  deck, 

All   ready  for  the  round, 
They  "  turn  "  the  ship  from  North  and  West. 

And  now  are  homeward  bound. 

LI  I. 

On  bow-line  taut,  port-tacks  aboard, 
They  're  heading  for  the   Hook, 

Tide  dead  ahead,  wind  freshening  up, 
Their  homeward  course  they  took. 

LIIL 

Livonia  first,    Spit-lDuoy  turn'd. 

Admiring  fleet  around. 
All  left  Columbia  in  the  lurch, 

Livonia's  praise  to  sound  ! 

LIV. 

And  sure  a  thrilling  sight  it  was, 

To  see,  as  ciuick  as  thought. 
As  if  by  magic,  all   at  once, 

Her  light  sails  go  aloft ! 


—  47  — 

LV. 

Minutes  like  wounded  snakes, 
Drao^or'd  their  slow  lenoth  alon", 

And  then  Columbia  turn'd  the  stake, 
There  must  be  somethimj:  wrons: ! 

LVI. 

With  varying  speed  throughout  the  race, 
Fair  work  at  times  she  's  done, 

But,  summing  up  without  disguise. 
She  's  scarcely  held  her  own. 

LVII. 

Her  light  sails  too,  mount  up  aloft, 
She  's  pluck  to  the  back-bone. 

And  don't  intend   Livonia  shall. 
Be  much  ahead  at  home. 

LVIII. 

Livonia  now  the  narrows  near'd, 

Our  steam  is  openVl  wide. 
We  soon  o'erhaul  the  fleet  ahead. 

Are  at  the  stake-boat's  side. 


-48  - 

LIX. 

With  clouds  of  canvas  she  sweeps  by, 

"  The  story  it  is  told,  " 
We  welcome  her  with  rousing  cheers, 

But  not  with  all  our  soul ! 

LX. 

Meanwhile  Columbia  she  was  seen. 
When  half  way  from  the   Hook, 

'Head  in  the  wund, "  upon  west  bank. 
The  bit  in  mouth  she  took. 

LXI. 

For  there  her  steering-gear  gave  way. 

And  all  control  was  gone, 
A  tiller  rigg'd  and  main-sail  down, 

She  slowly  wended  home. 

LXII. 

We  welcome  her  with  heart-felt  cheers. 

For  all  that  she  has  done, 
You  've  beat  Livonia  more  in  time. 

Than  this,  which  she  has  w^on  ! 


-  49  — 

LXIII. 


And  tho'  a  rose,  your  wreath  has  lost, 
And  dimm'd  its  halcyon  bloom, 

Land-lock'd,  or  seaward,  try  again  ! 
Defeat  is  not  your  doom. 


LXIV. 

And  you,  Livonia,  you  have  won. 
This  day  the  meed  of  praise, 

You,  too,  may  sing  your  Nation's   Hymn, 
Your  cherish'd  anthem  raise ! 

LXV. 

Here  o'er  our  placid  waters  green. 

And  two  leagues  out  at  sea, 
A  double  triumph  you  have  won, 

A  well-earned  victory ! 

LXVI. 

A  mingled  wreath  we  '11  twine  for  you, 

To  deck  your  Nautic  brow. 
The  waters  of  the  light-green  sea, 

Admit  your  triumph  now. 


—  50  — 

LXVII. 

Then  let  Livonia's  crew  unite, 

And  make  the  welkin   ring, 
Their  Nautic  tones  will  float  aloft. 

And  this  the  song  they  sing: 

LIVONIA'S  TRIUMPHAL  SONG. 

Air,  Battle  of  the  Nile. 

I, 

Arise,  arise !  Livonia's  crew  arise  ! 
And  let  Heaven  echo  with  your  song, 
The  genius  of  Ratsey,  Victory  proclaiming, 
Flies  through  the  world,  our  rights  by  deeds  maintaining, 
And  the  contest  for  the  cup, 
Has  shown  our  science  up, 
And  AshbVy,  gallant  Ashb'ry's  nam.-, 
Applauded  shall  be  ! 

2. 

Huzza  !  Iluzza  !  Huzza  ! 
Huzza  !  Huzza  !  Boys! 
Aslib'ry  's  won  the  wreath  that 
Ratsey  had  by  science  twin'd. 

3- 
And  the  Battle  for  the  Cup 
Has  raised  our  prestige  up, 
And  Ashb'ry's  name  and  Ratscy's  name, 
Applauded  shall  be  ! 


—  51  — 

LXVIII. 

Their  song  is  wafted  o'er  the  deep, 

And  meets  responsive  cheers 
From  twelve  yacht-clubs  the  echo  comes, 

And  strikes  our  list'nins:  ears  ! 

LXIX. 

They  swell  the  note,  and  Albion  hears, 

The  "voices  of  her  brave," 
In  tones  like  these,  it  there  resounds, 

"  Britannia  rules  the  wave,  " 

LXX. 

From  steep  and  cliff  your  azure  dome, 
Has  heard  that  sound  before. 

In  olden  time,  such  voice  was  heard. 
Mingling  with  ocean's  roar — 

LXXI. 

Told  slumb'ring  nations  of  the  world, 

Wrapped  in  lethargic  sleep, 
"  Your  march  was  o'er  the  mountain  wave, 
"  Your  home  was  on  the  deep.  " 


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SAPPHO  AND  LIVONIA, 

(OCEAN    COURSE.) 

20    Miles   to     Windward  and    Back. 


I. 

(OCTOBER'S  morn  again  invites, 
To  scenes  of  nautic  skill, 

Is  there  in  store  one  triumph   more, 
To  help  that  cup  to  fill  ? 


II. 

On  reaching  near  the  Quarantine, 
Columbia  there  is  found, 

The  other  champions  of  the  club, 
To  "  light-ship "  they  are  bound. 


—  54  - 
III. 

We  take  Columbia  then  in  tow, 

And  passing  out  the  Bay, 
We  leave  the  champion-yachts  astern, 

Bound  on  their  sea-ward  way. 

IV. 

We  drop   Columbia  at  the  stake, 

Then  hied  us  back  again. 
To  aid  the  ling'ring  yachts  that  tried 

To  reach  the  stake  in  vain. 

V. 

But  soon  the  wind  struck  in  from  south. 

And  fresh'ning  as  it  came, 
We  join'd  the  yachts  awaiting  there, 

Glad  to  return  again. 

VI. 

Once  more  we  're  on  the  battle-field, 
Three  champion  yachts  are  there, 

Livonia,  Sappho,   Dauntless,   too, 
And  last,  not  least,  Columbia. 


—  55  — 

VII. 

Gazing  to  East,  old  ocean  rolls, 
Where  mountain-waves  ascend, 

From  North  to  East  and  South  and  West, 
The  "  Fauces-Terras  "  trend. 

VIII. 

In  funnel  shape  it  opens  wide 

Its  broad,  capacious  jaws. 
And  takes  the  rolling  billows  in, 

That  break  upon  our  shores. 

IX. 

South-East  its  throat,  the  light-ship  's  moor'd, 

Our  "turning-stake"  for  years, 
But  now  the  starting  point, 

Of  yachts,  and  hopes  and  fears. 

X. 

The  day  is  all  that  could  be  wish'd, 

Sol  gleams  autumnal  rays. 
Gilding  with  all   his  radiant  light, 

The  combing  of  the  waves. 


-  56  - 


XI. 


The  breeze,  it  freshens  as  tlie  day    goes  on 

All  looming  up  so  bright, 
Needs  must  inspire  contending  yachts, 


And  nerve  them  for  the  fight. 


XII. 

The  muse  has  said,  or  sung  before, 

'T  is   National,   this  strife! 
A  "  challenge  "  vase,  once  nobly  won, 
Is  gleaming  in  our  sight. 

XIII. 

This  gorgeous  day  recalls  that  scene, 

The  page  of  Hist'ry  in. 
Two  champions  met  within  the  ring, 

A  champion's  belt  to  win. 

XIV. 

Ere  they  exchang'd  the   "  palmer's  kiss 
And  palm  to  palm  was  join'd, 

It  was  a  summer's  day  like  this, 
Thev  each   did  comment  on. 


57  — 

XV. 


■Fine  clay!"  said  Heenan  unto  Sayers, 

And  waited  his  reply, 
A  moment's  pause  with  face  inclin'd, 

And  gazing  in  the  sky, 


XVI. 

Said  Sayers,  '"  fine  day  indeed  it  is." 
These  words  he  then  let  fall : 
"  The  man  who  cannot  fight  to-day, 
"He  cannot  fight  at  all." 

XVII. 

So  hist'ry  may  repeat  itself, 
If  say  we  one  and  all, 
"  The  yacht  that  cannot  win  to  day, 
"  She  cannot  win  at  all." 

XVIII. 

Once  more  unto  the  breach,   dear  friends, 

Livonia  late  hath  made. 
Let 's  see  the  champion  that  's  to  cast. 

Her  triumph  in  the  shade. 


-  58  - 

XIX. 

They  all,  like  coursers  of  the  plain, 
Move  round  with  pride  elate, 

To  know  the  champion  of  the  day, 
With  quiv'ring  flags  they  wait. 

XX. 

Livonia's  racing  flag  was  seen, 

At  her  main-top-mast  head  ; 
The  other  three  at  their  main-peaks, 

Their  racing  bunting  spread. 

XXI. 

But  soon  we  see  the  others  down, 

Sappho's  alone  is  up  ! 
She  has  the  honor  to  compete, 

She  must  protect  that  cup ! 

XXII. 

And  now  't  is  keel  that  meets  with  keel, 

But  then  this  tug  of  war, 
Is  wag'd  on  ocean's  bosom  rough. 

Where  sea-birds  wont  to  soar. 


—  59  — 

XXIII. 

The  stake-boat  's  sent  to  Sou'-Sou-West, 

Full  twenty  miles  to  seaward. 
If  from  that  point  the  wind  "hangs  on," 
"Dead  beat"  it  is  from  leeward. 

XXIV. 

The  air-line  now  is  ready  drawn, 

The  yachts,  their  sheets  haiil'd  taut, 

Sappho  lays-to,  on  starboard  tack, 
Livonia  on  the  "  port." 

XXV. 

Across  the  Sappho's  stem  she  la}'', 
When  signal  meets  our  eyes. 

The  Sappho  quickly  "  fiU'd  away," 
Towards  the  line  she  flies  ! 

XXVI. 

Livonia  soon  came  into  stays, 

Upon  her  weather-quarter. 
Her  starboard-tacks  were  boarded  then, 

And  quick  she  follow'd  after. 


—  6o  — 


XXVII. 


Their  fore  and  aft  sails  all  were  set, 
A  "gunwale"  breeze  the  while, 

Under  full  wa}^  they  reachVl  the  score, 
Then  cross'd  in  gallant  style  ! 

XXVIII. 

Sappho  ahead  !   Livonia  then, 

One  minute  they  're  apart ! 
Livonia  aimed  at  weather-o-aQ-e, 

And  got  it  on  the  start. 

XXIX. 

It  soon  was  seen,  the  Sappho  had 

Livonia  "on  the  hip!" 
Altho'  to  leeward  at  the  start, 

She  's  now  the  windward  ship. 

XXX. 

'  T  is  clear  that  she  "  out-foots  "  her  too, 

Still  more  ahead  she  's  gone, 
Livonia  sees  and  knows  it  's  so, 
But  one  thintj  can  be  done, 


6i 


XXXI. 


Break  tacks"  with  Sappho,  take  the  chance, 

Of  shift,  or  better  wind. 
It  can't  be  worse,  for  as  it  is, 

She  's  sure  to  be  behind. 

XXXII. 

Livonia  then  goes  into  stays, 

The  Sappho  she  holds  on. 
And  having  run  her  tack  well  out, 

She  puts  her  helm  clown. 

XXXIII. 

Both  yachts  are  now  on  the  same  tack. 

Heading  for  Jersey  shore. 
Upon  Livonia's  weather-quarter, 

Sappho  's  a  mile  or  more. 

XXXIV. 

Before  this  tack  was  half  run  out, 

Wind  "canted"  to  the  West, 
And  then    'twas  seen  how  Sappho  'd  gain'd. 

She  'd  come  up  near  abreast. 


62 


XXXV. 


Livonia  ran  her  "  stretch "  well  out, 

Tack'd  ship  on  Jersey  shore, 
The  Sappho,  she  then  crossed  her  bow 


A  ofood  half  mile  or  more. 


XXXVI. 


The   Sappho  then,  went  into  stays, 

Still  clinging  to   Livonia  ! 
But  strange  to  say!  we  saw  her  "stay" 

Head  in  shore  !  and  leave  her. 

XXXVII. 

Experts  in  racing,  ne'er  admit, 

Such  tactics  to  be  true. 
But  when  of  yacht  you  've  got  the  heels, 

Why  never  let  her  go. 

XXXVIII. 

Her  error  soon  the  Sappho  saw, 

Again  she  went  about. 
You  've  only  lost  the  time  in  stays. 

Now  keep  a  bright  lookout. 


-  63  - 

XXXIX. 

Livonia  then  broke  tacks  again, 

And  headed  for  the  shore. 
Sappho  again,  then  crossed  her  bow, 

At  least  two  miles  or  more. 

XL. 

This  time  the  Sappho  clung  more  close, 

For  soon  she  went  in  stays. 
Visions  of  triumph  met  her  sight, 

And  green,  triumphant  bays. 

XLI. 

For  then  the  "  mark-boat "  caught  her  eye, 

She  tack'd  for  it  in  shore. 
And  as  she  headed  for  the  stake, 

Saw  only  one  tack  more. 

XLII.  ® 

The  stake  she  reached  on  starboard  tack, 

Her  helm  is  hard  a-lee, 
Her  sails  are  shaking  in  the  wind, 

She  's  round !  she  's  round !  we  see. 


-  64  - 

XLIII. 

With  flowing  sheets,  Hght  sails  aloft, 

All  swelling  with  the  wind. 
The  greeting  shouts,  the  screaming  steam, 

She  leaves  them  all  behind. 

XLIV. 

Livonia,  too,  she  tack'd  "  in  shore, " 

And  headed  for  the  stake, 
Then  tack'd  again,  soon  as  she.  thought 

The  mark-boat  she  could  "  make. " 

XLV. 

Then  with  her  port-tacks  well  aboard. 

She  made  it  on  its  lee. 
And  "wearing  ship"  she  had  to  make, 

A  longer  turn,  you  see. 

XLVI. 

But  when  she  'd  fairly  pass'd  around. 
And  G[rectino-s  had  been  "-iv'n, 

She  crowded  all  her   canvas  on. 
And  homeward  then  she  's  driven. 


-  65  - 

XLVII. 

Now  that  our  pulses  beat  less  high, 
Excitement  temper'd  down, 

A  retrospective  glance  we  '11  cast, 
On  what  has  pass'd  around. 

XLVIII. 

We  needs  must  feel  an  inward  joy, 
And  smile !  for  smile  we  may. 

Our  Sappho  's  won  a  laurel  leaf. 
For  what  she  's  done  to-day. 

XLIX. 

But  with  that  self-complacent  smile, 

Let  's  mingle  praises  due. 
For  what  Livonia  's  also  done, 
"  Ship's-husband  "  and  her  crew. 


'T  is  not  too  broad  a  claim  to  make, 

Nowhere  beneath  the  sun. 
Floats  there  a  yacht,  that  e'er  could  do, 

What  those  two  yachts  have  done. 


—  66  — 


LI. 


A  "  dead  to  windward "  beat  it  was, 

Worthy  poetic  lays, 
A  cracking  breeze,  and  good  sea  on. 

They  each  deserve  such  praise. 

LII. 

The  homeward  run  of  both  the  yachts, 

Was  picturesque  to  sight. 
But  hopes  and  fears  were  centr'd  in. 

The  struggHng  windward  fight. 

LIII. 

The  Sappho  reach'd  the  Hght-ship  stake, 

Nearly  five  miles  ahead. 
And  as  Livonia  came  in,  the  night 

Her  sable  mantle  spread. 

LIV. 

The  time  it  took  to  make  the  race, 

That  Sappho  there  did  win. 
Was  just  five  hours  and  a  half. 

From  start  to  coming  in. 


Jjiftlj   fxiin: 
SAPPHO  AND  LIVONIA, 


OVER 


THE   N.    V.    V.    CLUB    COURSE, 


I. 

A  GAIN  our  Nautic  armor's  donn'd, 
That  "Challenge-cup"  to  keep, 
And  show  the  nations  of  the  world, 
That  we  control  the  deep. 


II. 

The  cup  itself  tho'  bright  its  sheen, 
And  tho'  't  was  hardly  won, 

Is  treasured  now,  and  only  held. 
To  make  such  fact  more  known. 


—  68  — 
III. 

It  's  taken  from  the  rank  and  file, 

Of  prize-cups  in  Battalia, 
Nor  was  it  ever  ranked  among, 

The  widow'd   Queen's  regalia. 

IV. 

But  he,  whose  fearless  daring  won. 

And  brought  the  trophy  o'er. 
In  gallant  mood  baptiz'd  anew, 

When  landed  on  our  shore. 

V. 

For  when  't  was  won  in  foreign  climes. 

And  wonder  fill'd  the  air, 
The  shouts  of  loyal  subjects  told. 

The  Queen  herself  was  there. 

VI. 

And  when  she  "  speerVl  "  the  "  where  away. 

Of  yachts  contesting  there. 
Was  told  America  's  ahead. 

The  other  yachts  nowhere  ! 


-  69  - 

VII. 

And  then  the  challenger  himself, 

Stands  sponsor  for  that  name, 
When  first  he  sought  and  first  he  thought, 

That  he  could  win  the  same. 

VIII. 

Then  there  's  poetic  license,  too, 

Its  gallantry  should   show. 
And  cherish  still  that  queenly  name. 

Give  Majesty  its  due. 

IX. 

It  still  may  claim  that  soubriquet. 

With  prejudice  to  none. 
Bearing  in  mind  that  it  should  be, 

In  "  friendly  contest  won. " 

X. 

Friend  Meter  of  the  Harwich  club. 
In  mind,  seems  sore  perplex'd. 

And  at  the  name  of  Queenly  cup. 
Is  "mix'd,"  as  well  as  vex'd. 


—  70  — 

XI. 

It  was  not  so  some  years  ago, 
At  least,  'twas  "Royal"  then, 

But  since  it  has  been  borne  away, 
Is  worth  just  "ten  pound  ten." 

XII. 

Besides    it 's  but  the  yearly  prize. 

The  Royal  squadron  give. 
And  Chinese  junk  and  Norway  punt, 

May  have  at  it  a  dig. 

XIII. 

Proviso  first,  they  all  must  know. 

If  to  the  lists  they  come, 
They  cannot  bring  their  centre-boards, 

Such  toys  must  stay  at  home. 

XIV. 

And  then  you  know,  we  let  it  go, 
Time  out  of  mind,  forgotten. 

And  well  we  knew,  that  ere  it  flew, 
It  had  n't  got  no  bottom. 


—  71  — 

XV. 

For  when  our  cousins  bagg'd  the  thing 
They  raised  so  huge  a  shout, 

The  vase  it  shook  so  fearfully, 
The  bottom  it  fell  out. 

XVI. 

Strange,  how  history  repeats  itself! 

And  case  in  point  declare, 
An  ebon  citizen  in  the  South, 

He  once,  a  hare  did  snare, 

XVII. 

And  while  in  arms  he  held  his  prize, 

Thus  lavish'd  patois  praise  : 
'  You  nice  smove  ting,  you  hair  so   fine, 
"  You  haint  liv'd  many  days, 

XVIII. 

'  You  is  so  fat,  so  bery  fat, 

"  So  fat,  you  brile  youself ! " 
Away  went  puss  from  out  his  arms. 
And  bounded  o'er  a  delf! 


—  72  - 

XIX. 


With  eyes  askance,  he  cast  a  glance 
At  pussy  where  she  stood, 

With  pouting  Hps  and  nodding  head, 
Address'd  departed  food : 


XX. 

"You  long-ear'd  ting,  you's  on'y  good, 

"  To  play  wid  at  de  door, 
"  You  hinder-legs  dem  good  for  run ! 

"  But  good  for  nuffin''  more. " 

XXI. 

But  ere  she  fled  the  quarry's  edge, 

With  heart  still  in  a  flutter. 
She  heard  poor  Sambo's  stomach  spleen, 
"You's  not  so  darn'd  fat  nudder!" 

XXII. 

But  after  all,  what's  in  a  name. 
The  rose  would  smell  as  sweet, 

No  matter  what  the  name:   we  're  bound 
That  silver  cup  to  keep ! 


73 

XXIII. 

Once  more,  but  not  "unto  the  breach," 

That,  Sappho  has  repair'd, 
And  in  her  gallant  struggle  then, 

We  all  most  gladly  shared. 

XXIV. 

October's  morn  again  has  dawn'd, 
With'  rays  both  bright  and  clear, 

The  due  West  wind  comes  o'er  the  land, 
Our  hopes  and  hearts  to  cheer. 

XXV. 

Then,  as  we  near  the  starting-point, 
The  champion  yachts  we  see, 

With  head  to  wind,  ebb-tide  near  done. 
They  ride  most  quietly. 

XXVI. 

Again  the  Sapphic  maid  's  the  choice, 

The  challenger  to  meet, 
Sure  that  she  '11  win  one  laurel  more, 

That  champion  cup  to  keep. 


—  74  — 

XXVII. 

On  deep-sea  course,  't  was  keel  met  keel, 

And  now  the  strife  will  be. 
Where  Zephyr  breathes  her  gentler  gales, 

O'er  halcyon  wave  or  sea. 

XXVIII. 

Livonia  won  again  the  choice. 

To  windward  is  her  place. 
With  springs  upon  her  cable  taut. 

She  's  ready  for  the  race. 

XXIX. 

The  Sappho,  while  she  's  being  tow'd, 
Dropp'd  anchor  "  under  foot.  " 

And  having  too  much  headway  on, 
Of  course,  she  "pick'd  it  up." 

XXX. 

And  heading  in  towards  the  shore. 

She  made  for  the   Livonia, 
But  ere  she  reach'd  her  "  quarter-badge, " 

The  tug  again  controlTd  her. 


—  75  — 

XXXI. 

At  length  she  's  anchor'd  on  the  '•  score,  " 
Both  yachts,  their  sheets  made  fast, 

Are  ready  now,  and  only  wait, 
To  hear  the  signal  blast. 

XXXII. 

The  flags  come  down,  and  then  go  up, 
And  then  come  down  once  more. 

Steam-whistle  sounds  both  shrill  and  loud, 
Livonia  pays  off  shore. 

XXXIII. 

Foretop-mast  housed  in  view  of  wind, 

Her  lower  sails  all  draw, 
She  reels  it  off,   hand  over  hand, 

And  "  heels  "  at  every  flaw. 

XXXIV. 

The  Sappho  nymph  unlucky  was. 

She  payed  off  to  starboard. 
And  had  to  "stay,"  "light  up"  port-tacks, 

Ere  she  could  head  to  larboard. 


-  76  - 

XXXV. 

She  lost  three  minutes,  if  not  more, 

In  getting  fairly  round. 
When  off,  and  in  Livonia's  wake, 

She  well  astern  was  found. 

XXXVI. 

Livonia  pass'd  the  Narrows'  point, 
Hugging  West  Bank  along, 

Finding  the  Sappho  gaining  fast, 
And  sure  to  pass  ere  long. 

xxxvii. 

Before  they  'd  gone  one  third  the  way, 

As  near  as  we  could  see, 
Sappho  rang'd  up  abreast  her  beam. 

And  pass'd  well  clear  her  lee. 

xxxviii. 

That  feat  performed,  the  tale  was  told, 
And  when  she  turn'd  the  buoy. 

The  plaudits  from  the  steamers  round, 
Full  well  express'd  their  joy. 


11 


XXXIX. 

Both  3^achts  are  'round  and  outward  bound, 
To  light-ship  three  leagues  off, 

With  wind  dead-aft  they  're  wing    and  wingv 
As  soars  the  bird  aloft. 

XL. 

And  now  while  on  their  seaward  way, 

We  'II  lay  upon  our  oars, 
And  see,  if  haply  we  may  glean, 

Auo-ht  from  these   Nautic  wars. 

O 

XLI. 

And   Iho'  it  's  never  safe  to  crow, 

Before  the  wood  you  clear, 
Yet  w4ien   Fate  rules,  why  then  you  know, 

No  matter  how  you  steer. 

XLII. 

These  contests  for  the  Queenly  cup. 
Have  four  great  problems  solved, 

And  taught  at  least,  the  yachting  world. 
The  "status"  that  they  hold. 


7S 


XLIII. 

That  Ballast  cant  with  Beam  contend, 

In  smooth  or  troubled  water, 
But  when  judiciously  combin'd, 

That  's  just  the  thing  we  're  after. 

XLIV. 

That  Keel  can  't  match  with   Centre-board, 

In  any  yachting  w^eather, 
"  By  or  large,"  course  smooth  or  rough. 

The  centre-board  \s  the  better. 

XLV. 

One  other  fact  is  also  shown, 
Touching  our  "  Pleasure  navy," 

Our  keels,  tho'  not  full  beamy  type. 
For  that  we  cry,  "Peccavi!" 

XLVI. 

Yet,  w^hen  compar'd  with  foreign  yachts, 

In  any  kind  of  weather, 
On  bow-line  taut,  or  flowing  sheet. 

They  \-e  prov'd  themselves  the  Ijctter. 


XLVII. 

But  now  we  've  reach'd  that  Solitai^   . 

Whose  vigils,  night  and  day, 
Mid-summer's  sun,  and  wintry  storms, 

Her  duty  there  to  stay. 

XLVIII. 

Warning  to  give  the  homeward-bound. 

With  fog-horn,  and  with  bell, 
As  well  the  stranger  on  our  coast, 

The  way  he  seeks  to  tell. 

XLIX. 

Her  lights  by  night,  her  "loom"  by  day, 

Like  pole-star  in  the  heaven. 
To  master,  crew,  and  all  on  board. 

Our  sympathy  is  given. 

L. 

But  now  the   Sappho  nears  the  ship, 
Her  kites  come  flutfring  down, 

Her  sheets  trimm'd  aft,  main-boom  jib'd  o'er. 
And  now  she  is  around. 


—  So- 


li. 


On  bow-line  taut,  away  she  goes, 

With  starboard-tacks  aboard. 
With  all  the  grace  her  namesake  had, 

She  heads  the  South  toward. 

LII. 

Livonia,  too,  with  steaming  craft, 

Makes  up  her  gorgeous  train, 
But  soon  she  's  left  to  plod  alone, 

The  Sappho  's  their  pet  dame. 

LIII. 

Her  course  she  held  about  Sou'-West, 

For  near  two  miles  or  so, 
Then  tacking  ship,   she  heads  Nor'-West, 

On  homeward  reach  you  know. 

LIV. 

Livonia,   after  rounding  stake, 

"Haul'd  fiat,"  and  follow  d   after. 
And  when  she  "  stay'd,  "  she  found  herself, 
On  Sappho's  lee-ward  quarter. 


—  «I  — 

LV. 

Again   Livonia  went  about, 

Her  starboard  tacks  aboard, 
Sappho  soon  after  went  in  stays, 

Both  yachts  now  heading  South 'rd. 

LVL 

Once  more  the  Sappho's  hehii  's  a-lee, 

Is  pointing  for  the   Hook, 
And  when   Livonia  reach'd  her  track, 

A  Nor'-West  course  she  took. 

LVII. 

She  's  fairly  now  in   Sappho's  wake, 

Full  two  miles  dead  astern. 
She  ne'er  can  make  that  distance  up, 

Much  less  "  the  tables  turn  !  " 

LVIII. 

When  Sappho  reach'd  the  point  of  Hook, 

And  found  she  'd  weather  it. 
Again  she  tack'd,  stood  in  the  bay. 

To  clear  the   Sou'-West  Spit. 


—    82    — 


LIX. 


Livonia,  now,  must  tack  again, 

She  's  hopelessly  to  lee-ward, 
Twice  more  than  Sappho  has  she  tack'd, 

While  on  their  run  from  seaward. 

LX. 

Now  Sappho  sees  her  way  all  clear. 

To  buoy  of  the  Spit, 
Her  last  tack's  made,  "rap-fuU"  she  flies 

She  reaches,  and  she  rounds  it. 

LXI. 

Again  we  see  her  light  sails  mount, 

Like  flutt'ring  wings  they  rise. 
While  shouts  and  cheers  and  whistling  steam, 

Are  echoed  from  the  skies. 

LXII. 

Away  she  goes  with  leading  wind. 

Her  swelling  canvas  full. 
Vain  't  is  for  steam  to  vie  witli   her, 

Unless  the  wind  should  lull. 


83 


LXIII. 

Meanwhile   Livonia  's  gain'd  the   Hook, 

Weathered  its  triune  Hght, 
On  starboard  tack  she  "reaches"  in, 

Still  eager  in  the  fight, 

LXIV. 

She  now,  can  surely  make  the  buoy, 

And  turn  it  from  the  West, 
Her  helm  's  eas'd  down,  she  's  in  the   wind. 

She  's  doino:  her  "level  best." 

LXV. 

She  's  turn'd  the  buoy  of  the  Spit, 

Turn'd  it  in  gallant  phase, 
Sends  all  her  "  dimity "  aloft, 

Bnt  few  are  left  to  praise  ! 

LXVI. 

They  've  followed  up  the  Sapphic  queen, 

To  worship  at  her  shrine, 
To  Nature  true,  where  Fortune  smiles, 

There  's  all  that  is   Divine. 


-  84  - 


LXVII. 

At  point  of  Narrows  wind  drops   out, 

\Vc  pass  the  Sappho  there, 
At  stake-boat  stop,  the  judges  then. 

To  her  at  once  repair. 

LXVIII. 

Enrob'd  in  canvas  white  as  snow, 
The  Sapphic  maid  comes  on. 

She  seems  herself  fuU  well  to  know, 
The  victory  she  has  won. 

LXIX. 

And  as  she  passed  the  stake-boat's  beam, 

Such  clamor  sounded  there. 
As  tho'  men  shouted  on  the  earth, 

And   Spirits  in   upper  air. 

LXX. 

Livonia  when  she  reach'd  the  stake, 

Some  half  an  hour  behind, 
Was  welcom'd  tho'  no  wreath  she  'd  won, 

Her  Nautic  brow  to  bind. 


-  85  - 

LXXI. 

The  race  is  done  !  the  cup  's  not  won 

'T  is  brighter  in  our  eyes, 
Since  twice  it  's  been  within  the  ring, 
"  So  coveted  that  prize." 

LXXII. 

We  hold  it  still,  and  fondly  hope, 
It  ne'er  will  cross  the  seas, 

And  thus  transfer  to  foreign  club, 
Our  Nautical  prestige. 

LXXIII. 

Yet  not  the  silver  vase  we  prize, 

Tho'  graceful  its  design. 
But  what  it  emblems,  what  recalls ! 

Those  things,  our  hearts  entwine. 

LXXIV. 

'  T  is  not  our  Naval  architects  alone. 

Should  proudly  cherish  it, 
Our  country's  claim,  her  Nautic  fame, 

On  it  is  plainly  writ. 


—  86  — 


LXXV. 


The  victories  recorded  there, 
Announce,  in  terms  too  plain, 

That  we  have  still  the  settled  right, 
Pre-eminence  to  claim — 

LXXVI. 

In  type  of  vessel,  mould  or  form, 

In  tackle  and  apparel, 
Tho'  in  the  latter  we  '11  admit, 

We  do  n't  so  much  excel. 

LXXVII. 

Well  may  we  boast  one  type  of  craft, 

However  much  ignor'd 
As  "  skimming-dishes,  "  "  race-machines  !" 

Our  high-priz'd  centre-boards. 

LXXVIII. 

They  are,  we  've  found,  more  fleet  of  foot, 

Sea-going  vessels,  too. 
In  all  respects  worthy  the  keel, 

Of  our  late  friendly  foe. 


-  87  - 

LXXIX. 

We  look  on  them  as  on  our  keels, 

Patterns  of  naval  art, 
And  tho'  in  Pleasure-navy  roll'd. 

Perform  their  destin'd  part. 

LXXX. 

Like  blooded  coursers  of  the  turf, 

Their  points  we  utilize, 
Hence  clipper-ships  and  steamers,  too, 

Our  country's  boast  arise. 

LXXXI. 

October's  ides  have  come  and  gone. 

And  we  have  fairly  shown, 
That  we  may  breed  from  either  type. 

When  tariff  laws  have  flown. 

LXXXII. 

But  while  we  praise  our  champion  yachts. 

For  all  that  they  have  done, 
Let  's  not  forget  those  who  foresaw, 

Such  victories  would  be  won. 


88 


LXXXIII. 

The  name  of  J.   C.   Stevens,  Edwin,  too, 

Stand  out  in  bold  relief. 
In  centre-boards  both  entertain'd, 

Unwavering  belief. 

LXXXIV. 

Early  to  see  the   ripen'd  fruit. 

From   Pleasure-navy  grown, 
From  either  type,  they  lived  to  see, 

Fheir  zealous  labors  crown'd  ! 

LXXXV. 

Bi;t  when  their  faith  they  'd  show  by  works, 

And  cross'd  the  ocean  wide, 
England's  naval  architects  then  saw 

America's  huge  stride. 

LXXXVI. 

That  name  to  yacht-men  ever  dear, 

As  well  the  cup  she  won, 
Recalls  to  us  still  other  names, 

Engrav'd  its  sides  upon. 


-  89  - 

LXXXVII. 

The  names  of  Wilkes  and  Finlay,  too, 
George  Steers,  and  G.   L.  Schuyler, 

Steers,  her  far-famed  architect, 
Schuyler,  "  sole  survivor." 

LXXXVIII. 

Proud  may  we  be  of  our  own  Steers, 

Of  Nautic  genius,  ample, 
Where  shall  we  look,  'mong  living  men, 

For  one  who  's  caught  his  mantle. 

LXXXIX. 

His  daring  genius  left  the  path. 

Our  fathers  plodded  on, 
He  took  resistance  by  the  horns, 

When  lo !  its  pow'r  was  gone ! 

xc. 

Nautic  science  rubb'd  her  eyes. 
And  star'd  at  what  was  done, 

Steers  for  the  donors  built  a  yacht, 
And  then  that  cup  was  won ! 


—  90  — 

XCI. 

Who  but  survivor,  who  but  he  ? 

That  Nautic  tale  unfold, 
Give  all  the  log,  the  by  and  large, 
'T  were  worth  its  weight  in  gold ! 

XCII. 

The  other  donors  all  are  sfone  ! 

Have  ta'en  the  morning's  wing; 
And  he  and  w^e  are  only  left. 

Their  requiem  to  sing. 

-XCIII. 

They  've  gone  aloft,  within  the  vale, 
Their  anchors  they  have  cast, 

Royals  and  sky-sails — all  sails  furl'd, 
They  've  found  that  rest  at  last ! 

xciv. 

In  spirit  they  're  still  with  us. 
They  've  only  "  shipp'd  "  anew  ! 

To  float  amid  the  azure  realms, 
O'er  waves  ethereal  blue. 


-  91  — 
xcv. 


Tho'  storms  below,  their  hulls  have  toss'cl, 

Their  spirits  know  no  wreck, 
When  the  last  whistle  they  shall  hear, 

They  '11  step  upon  the  deck  ! 


xcvi. 


But  since  enjoinVl  no  more  to  sing, 

Of  Queenly  cups  in  strife, 
We  think  that  this  may  yet  be  sung, 


And  not  endanger  life ! 


XCVII. 


No  more  Queen's  cup !   It  now  shall  be, 

America's  own  cup, 
And  should  we  lose  its  custody. 

And  yield  the  trophy  up, 

XCVIII. 

When  round  the  Queen's  own  garden  home, 

Again  our  canvas  floats, 
To  test  with  all   Her   yachting  sons. 

The  speed  of  rival  boats. 


—  92  - 

XCIX. 


As  once  it  was,  in  years  gone  by, 

May  it  again  be  so, 
The  Queen  in  health  with  beaming  eye, 


Smile  on  the  gallant  show ! 


c. 


Then  let  us  sino-,  "  Lonor  \[yQ  the  Queen  ! 

And  Ashb'ry,  long  live  he  ! " 
And  when  he  next  that  cup  would  win, 

May  we  be  there  to  see  1 


STATISTICS  OF  THE  FIVE  KACES. 


FIRST    RACE. 


Name.                                    Owner.             Displacement.    Apportionment. 
Livonia J.  Ashbury 6,651.  1,881. 

Columbia F.  Osgood 4,861.  1,694. 


Start.  S.  VV.  Spit.  Light  Ship.  S.  W.  Si'IT. 

h.       m.     s.  h.      m.       s.  h.      m.      s. 

Columbia.  .  1  h-  m-     i  24  00  i  23  53  3  50  13 

>  10  40 

Livoma....)         12   S  27  i  3S  31  4  19  50 


Corrected 
Time  OF  Arrival.      Time  of  Race.  Time. 

h.      m.       s.  h.     m.       s.  h.     m.       s. 

Columbia 4     57     32  6     17     42  6     ig     41 

Livonia 5     23     00  6     43     30  6     46    45 


m.       s. 
Columbia  beats  Livonia 25     iS  actual  time. 

27     04  corrected  time. 


r,.% 


SECOND    RACE, 


Actual  Corrected  , 

Name.  Start.        Stake  Boat.  Return.         Time.  Time. 

h.    m.     s.  h.  m.     s.      h.   m.    s.      h.  m.     s.  h.  ni.       s. 

Columbia 12  05  331^     i  32  10     3  07  15     3  01  33I2     3  07  40^ 

Iiivonia 12  03  30}^     i  31  00     3  10  10     3  06  49^2     3  ^^  ^S}4. 

Victory  of  the  Columbia,  by  allowance  of  time,  10  m.  33^  s. 


THIRD    RACE 


Name. 

Start. 

S.  W.  Spit. 

Light  Ship. 

S.  W.  Spit. 

h.      m.       s. 

h.     m.      s. 

h.      m.       s. 

Livonia. .  . . 

h.     m. 

2      40      00 

3     20     30 

4      25      55 

Columbia.  . 

!--  =-' 

2      46      00 

3     25     45 

4     3 1      30 
Corrected 

Time  of  Arrival. 

Time  of  Race. 

■J'lME. 

h.     m.      s. 

h.      m.       s. 

h.      m.       s. 

Livonia  .  . . 

5     iS     05 

3     53     05 

4      02      25 

Columbia.. 

••••5     37     33 

4     12     33 

4     17     35 

m.     s. 
Livonia  beats  Columbia 19     33  actual  time. 

15      10  corrected  time. 


•Uerl  linens-  l.noiiift 


FOURTH    RACE 


Name.                          Owner.                                 Club.                 Apportionment. 
Sappho     W.  P.  Douglas New  York 1951 

Livonia James  Ashbury Royal  H.invich iSSi 


Crossing  the  Line. 
h.      m.      K. 
Sappho , 12     II     00 


Ijivonia 


12     52 


Stake  Boat. 
h.  m.  s. 
4     02      10 

4     29     .^5 


Time  of  Ahrival. 
h.     m.      s. 


Sappho . 
Livonia. 


5  44 

6  I- 


TiME  OF  Race. 
h.      m.       s. 
5     33     24 


6     04 


;S 


Corrected 

Time. 
h.      m.      s. 

5  39     02 

6  09     ^3 


Sappho  beats  Livonia 


■31     14  actual  time. 
30     21   corrected  time. 


Fifth- Race 

SAPPHO    Aj^ii  IIVONIA 

overClnh  Course' 
Monday  October  23  K<i 


JllCi,ran;tine. 


Stents. 


\Lujhl  Ship 
/tu'OtiUt, 


Llv,„vm,    ^^ Sappho 


Metitrti.  cloUrel  Itiirs     Jjivonixic- 


Stakt. 

S.  W.  S: 

IIT. 

LicHT ; 

5  HIP. 

h.       m. 

S. 

h.      m. 

S. 

h.      m. 

12       15 

12 

I      32 

58 

n     21 

12       16 

5« 

I     45 

22 

FIFTH    RACE. 


Name.  Stakt.  S.  \V.  Siit.  Licht  Ship.  S.  W.  Si'it. 

h.      m.       .s. 

Sappho )     li-      m-  12       15       12  I       32       58  3       12       14 

[-11       21 

Livonia....^  12     16     58  i     45     22  3     34     30 


CoRKF.CTED 

Time  of  Arrival.       Time  of  Race.  'I'imk. 

h.     m.       s.  h.      m.       s.  h.      ni.      s. 

Sappho 3     59     05  4     38     05  4     46     17 

Livonia 4     25     41  5     04     41  5     11     55 


Sappho  beats  Livonia 26     36  actual   lime. 

25     27  corrected  time. 


APPENDIX. 


^<M 


APPENDIX. 


THE  YACHT  AMERICA. 


Extract  from  the  Speech  of  Conunodore  jf.  C.  Stevens^  of  the 
Nezo  York  Yacht  Club,  at  a  Banquet  Given  Him  at  the 
Astor  House^  October  2,  185 1,  Upo7i  His  Return  from 
Europe.  Subsequent  to  the  Triumph  of  the  J  \icht  America. 


x\nd  you  may,  perhaps,  have  observed  that  my  hair  is 
somewhat  greyer  than  it  was  when  I  last  met  you.  I'll  tell 
you  how  it  happened.  But  I  am  trespassing  on  your  good 
nature.  ["  Go  on,  go  on,"  from  all  sides.]  In  coming  from 
Havre,  we  were  obliged,  by  the  darkness  of  the  night  and 
a  thick  fog,  to  anchor  some  five  or  six  miles  from  Cowes.  In 
the  morning  early  the  tide  was  against  us,  and  it  was  dead 
calm.  At  nine  o'clock  a  gentle  breeze  sprang  up,  and  with 
it  came  gliding  down  the  Laverock,  one  of  the  newest  and 
fastest  cutters  of  her  class.  The  news  spread  like  lightning 
that  the  Yankee  clipper  had  arrived,  and  that  the  Laverock 
had  gone  down  to  show  her  the  way  up.  The  yachts  and 
vessels  in  the  harbor,  the  wharves,  and  windows  of  all  the 
houses  bordering  on  them,  were  filled  with  spectators,  watch- 
ing with  eager  eyes  the  eventful  trial.  They  saw  we  could  not 
escape,  for  the  Laverock  stuck  to  us,  sometimes  laying  to,  and 


—   io8  — 

sometimes  tacking  around  us,  evidently  showing  she  had  no 
intention  of  quitting  us.  We  were  loaded  with  extra  sails, 
with  beef  and  pork,  and  bread  enough  for  an  East  India 
voyage,  and  were  some  four  or  five  inches  too  deep  in  the 
water.  We  got  up  our  sails  with  heavy  hearts,  the  wind  had 
increased  to  a  five  or  six  knot  breeze,  and  after  waiting  until 
we  were  ashamed  to  wait  longer,  we  let  her  get  about  two 
hundred  yards  ahead  and  then  started  in  her  wake.  I  have 
seen  and  been  engaged  in  jnany  exciting  trials  at  sea  and  on 
shore.  I  made  the  match  with  Eclipse  against  Sir  Henry,  and 
had  heavy  sums,  both  for  myself  and  for  my  friends,  depend- 
ing on  the  result.  I  saw  Eclipse  lose  the  first  heat  and  four- 
fifths  of  the  second,  without  feeling  one-hundredth  part  of 
the  responsibility,  and  without  feeling  one-hundredth  part  of 
the  trepidation  I  felt  at  the  thought  of  being  beaten  by  the 
Laverock  in  this  eventful  trial.  During  the  first  five  minutes 
not  a  sound  was  heard  save,  perhaps,  the  beating  of  our 
anxious  hearts  or  the  slight  ripple  of  the  water  upon  her 
sword-like  stem.  The  captain  was  crouched  down  upon  the 
floor  of  the  cockpit,  his  seemingly  unconscious  hand  upon 
the  tiller,  with  his  sterm  unaltering  gaze  upon  the  vessel 
ahead.  The  men  were  motionless  as  statues,  with  their  eager 
eyes  fastened  upon  the  Laverock  with  a  fixedness  and  inten- 
sity that  seemed  almost  supernatural.  The  pencil  of  an 
artist  might,  perhaps,  convey  the  expression,  but  no  words 
can  describe  it.  It  could  not  nor  did  not  last  long.  We 
worked  quickly  and  surely  to  windward  of  her  wake.  The 
crisis  was  past,  and  some  dozen  of  deep  drawn  sighs  proved 
that  the  agony  was  over.  We  came  to  anchor  a  quarter,  or 
perhaps  a  third  of  a  mile  ahead,  and  twenty  minutes  after 
our  anchor  was  down  the  Earl  of  Wilton  and  his  family  were 
on  board  to  welcome  and  introduce  us  to  his  friends.  To 
himself  and  family,  to  the  Marquis  of  Anglesea  and  his  son, 
Lord  Alfred  Paget,  to  Sir  Bellingham  Graham  and  a  host  of 
other   noblemen    and    gentlemen,  were    we    indebted   for   a 


—  I09  — 

reception  as  hospitable  and  frank  as  ever  was  given  to  prince 
or  peasant.  From  the  Queen  herself,  we  received  a  mark  of 
attention  rarely  accorded  even  to  the  highest  among  her  own 
subjects  ;  and  I  was  given  to  understand  that  it  was  not  only 
a  courtesy  extended  to  myself  and  friends,  but  also  as  a 
proof  of  the  estimation  in  whicl'i  she  held  our  country,  thereby 
giving  a  significance  to  the  compliment  infinitely  more 
acceptable  and  valuable.  Long  may  the  bonds  of  kindred 
affection  and  interest  that  bind  us  together  at  present  remain 
unbroken. 

As  a  further  proof  of  the  feeling  of  the  government  and 
people  towards  us,  I  will  mention  the  following  act  of  kind- 
ness : — We  had  the  misfortune  the  day  before  the  race  with  the 
Titania  to  knock  off  a  part  of  our  outer  shoe.  This  rendered 
it  necessary  that  we  should  haul  her  out ;  and  we  repaired 
to  the  government  dock  at  Portsmouth  for  this  purpose. 
On  the  instant  the  application  w'as  made  an  order  was  issued 
by  the  Admiral  to  repair  her  in  the  shortest  time  possible. 
If  you  could  have  witnessed  the  vigor  and  goodwill  exhibited, 
from  the  Admiral  down  to  the  humblest  mechanic  of  the 
yard,  to  complete  her  for  the  next  day's  race,  you  would,  I 
am  sure,  have  felt  the  obligation  (rendered  so  doubly  binding 
by  the  manner  in  which  it  was  tendered)  as  deeply  and 
sincerely  as  ourselves,  and  would  regret  as  much  and  as 
sincerely  as  ourselves  that  any  cause  of  quarrel  should  arise 
to  separate  two  nations  that  want  but  to  be  better  ac- 
quainted with  each  other's  good  qualities  to  become  and 
remain  fast  friends.  She  was  docked  at  twelve  and  finished 
at  eight  o'clock  the  same  evening.  For  this  important  service 
no  remuneration,  in  any  shape  or  way,  would  be  listened  to. 
The  Admiral,  in  expressing  the  pleasure  it  gave  him  to  do 
us  a  service,  endeavored  to  prevail  upon  us  to  believe  the 
obligation  to  be  altogether  on  his  side.  I  trust,  with  confi- 
dence, that  if  occasion  should  occur,  this  delicacy  and  feeling 
will  be  as  promptly  and  as  delicately  reciprocated.     In   the 


—   no  — 

race  with  the  Titania,  I  suspect,  although  I  do  not  know  the 
fact,  that  too  much  of  her  ballast  was  taken  out.  It  gave 
her  an  advantage  m  going  before  the  wind,  but  told  very 
much  against  her  in  returning.  There  was  a  steady  breeze 
and  a  good  sea  running,  and  she  fell  so  rapidly  to  leeward 
as  to  be  hull  down  and  nearly  out  of  sight.  We  beat  her, 
according  to  the  secretary's  report,  three  or  four  minutes  in 
going  down,  and  some  forty-eight  or  fifty  minutes  in  returning, 
on  a  wind.  In  the  race  for  the  Queen's  Cup  there  were,  I 
think,  seventeen  entries,  most  of  which,  I  believe,  started. 
In  addition  to  them  there  were  seventy  or  eighty,  or  perhaps 
one  hundred,  under  weigh,  in  and  about  the  harbor  ;  and 
such  another  sight  no  other  country  save  England  can  furnish. 
Our  directions  from  the  sailing  committee  were  simple  and 
direct ;  we  were  to  start  from  the  flagship  at  Cowes,  keep 
the  Norman's  buoy  on  the  starboard  hand,  and  from  thence 
make  the  best  of  our  way  round  the  island  to  the  flagship 
from  which  we  started.  We  got  off  before  the  wind,  and 
in  the  midst  of  a  crowd  that  we  could  not  get  rid  of  for  the 
first  eight  or  nine  miles  ;  a  fresh  breeze  then  sprang  up  that 
cleared  us  from  our  hangers  on  and  sent  us  rapidly  ahead  of 
every  yacht  in  the  squadron.  At  the  Needles  there  was  not 
a  yacht  that  started  with  us  in  sight,  so  that  the  answer  said 
to  have  been  given  to  a  question  from  a  high  personage  of 
"Who  was  first?"  "The  America."  "Who  is  second.^" 
"  There  is  no  second,"  was  literally  true.  After  passing  the 
Needles  we  were  overtaken  by  the  royal  steam  yacht  Victoria 
and  Albert,  with  her  Majesty  and  her  fiimily  on  board,  who 
had  come  down  to  witness  the  trial  of  speed  between  the 
models  adopted  by  the  Old  World  and  those  of  the  New. 
As  the  steamer  slowly  passed  us  we  had  the  gratification  of 
tendering  our  homage  to  the  Queen,  after  the  fashion  of  her 
own  people,  by  taking  off  our  hats  and  dipping  our  flags. 
At  this  time  the  wind  had  fallen  to  a  light  breeze,  and  we 
did    not   arrive   at   the    flagship  until    dark.       I  could    not 


1 1  I 


learn  correctly  at  what  time  or  in  what  order  the  others 
arrived.  The  cup  before  you  is  the  trophy  of  that  day's 
victory.  I  promised,  half  jest  and  half  earnest,  when  I  parted 
with  you,  to  bring  it  home  to  you.  The  performance  of  this 
promise  is  another  exemplification  of  the  truth  of  an  old  saw, 
that  "What  is  oftentimes  said  in  jest  is  sometimes  done  in 
earnest."  I  am  requested  by  the  gentlemen  owning  this  cup 
to  beg  your  acceptance  of  it  as  a  testimony  of  their  grati- 
tude for  the  interest  you  have  so  keenly  felt  and  so  often  and 
kindly  expressed  in  our  welfare  and  success.  I  have  but  to 
regret  that  the  late  hour  at  which  I  made  up  my  mind  to 
attempt  a  reply  has  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  make  it  what  it 
ought  to  be  (and,  perhaps,  but  for  that,  what  it  might  be), 
more  worthy  of  your  acceptance.  With  your  permission  I 
will  propose  as  a  toast  "  The  Health  of  the  Earl  of  Wilton." 


NOTES. 

»       ■ 

SECOND  RACE. 

Stanza  XX  :  "  No  cause  for  protest  could  be  found.*' 


From  "  Spirit  of  the  Times'' 


New  York,  Dec.  12,  1871. 
Editor  Spirit — Dear  Sir :  The  communication  of  your 
correspondent  "  Tyrrel,"  in  regard  to  Mr.  x^shbury's  "  pro 
test"  after  the  second  race  of  the  Cohimbia  and  Livonia,  does 
not  quite  cover  the  whole  ground.  The  question  is  not  what 
is  the  rule  in  England  as  to  turning  "  markboats  or  buoys" 
when  no  specific  instructions  are  given,  but  what  is  the  rule 
under  such  circumstances  here.  Our  sailing  regulations 
contain  no  rules  or  directions  in  that  connection.  If  any  or 
all  of  the  yacht  clubs  in  England  have  a  general  rule  upon  the 
subject,  either  expressed  or  implied,  and  such  rule  as  your 
correspondent  states  is  "  rigidly  enforced,"  we  could  hardly 
come  to  his  conclusion  that  it  was  "  rightly  so  " ;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  "  a  custom  or  usage  much  more  honored  in  the 
breach  than  the  observance,''  even  in  English  waters.  If, 
however,  any  such  rule  of  turning  a  mark  or  buoy  in  a  par- 
ticular manner,  in  the  absence  of  specific  direction,  does 
exist,  it  must  be  based  upon   the  "  rule  of  the  road."     In 


114 


accordance  with  the  English  rule  of  the  road,  the  Livonia 
was  right  in  turning  the  stakeboat  from  N.  and  W.,  thus 
leaving  it  on  her  starboard  hand  ;  but  wrong,  according  to 
the  rule  of  the  road  in  this  country,  which  even  in  olden 
times  enjoined  on  every  "guide-post"  in  the  land  "Keep  to 
the  rigJit,  as  the  law  directs."  The  Columbia,  therefore,  in 
first  porting  her  helm  in  order  to  pass  the  stakeboat  to  the 
right,  instead  of  the  left,  acted  in  conformity  not  only  to  the 
rule  of  the  road  as  recognized  in  this  country,  but  also  in 
accordance  with  the  general  rule  of  the  sea  ;  and  the  Livonia, 
although  acting  in  obedience  to  the  rule  of  the  road  as  ad- 
hered to  in  England  (that  is,  passing  to  the  left,)  necessarily 
violated  the  rule  of  the  sea,  for  even  before  the  adoption  of 
the  international  rules  of  navigation  the  rule  of  the  road,  as 
observed  by  us,  has  ever  obtained  upon  the  sea,  and  is  only 
deviated  from  in  one  exceptional  and  specified  case — to  wit, 
when  the  free  is  meeting  one  close-hauled  on  the  port  tack. 
So  far  from  the  action  of  the  Committee  in  the  premises 
being  open  to  censure  in  not  giving  specific  directions  how 
the  stakeboat  should  be  turned,  they  acted,  in  the  necessary 
absence  of  nautical  prescience,  not  only  with  judgment,  but 
entire  fairness  as  to  either  of  the  parties  in  the  contest,  thus 
leaving  to  both  entire  freedom  of  choice,  not  only  as  to  the 
manner  of  making  or  approaching  the  stakeboat,  but  also  in 
the  manner  of  turning  it  in  the  most  judicious  mode,  depend- 
ing upon  the  respective  bearings  and  tacks  they  happened  to 
be  on  when  approaching  a  turning  proximity — thus  leaving 
the  most  skillful  handhng  of  the  vessels  to  be  displayed,  by 
approaching  the  stake  so  as  to  round  it  either  by  gybing  or 
going  in  stays.  That  the  latter  mode  of  turning  it  is  the  most 
nautical,  as  well  as  most  expeditious,  no  one  doubts  ;  provided 
the  mode  of  approach  concurs  with  such  manceuvre.  The 
Livonia,  on  the  occasion  referred  to,  did  so  approach,  and 
could  have  turned  it  on  a  bowline,  as  did  the  Columbia  ;  but, 
transferring  the  English  rule  of  the  road  to  the   sea,  she  felt 


I  o 


herself  constrained  to  pass  to  the  left,  which  necessarily  in- 
volved "  wearing  ship,"  and  consequently  greater  loss  of 
time.  This  was  regarded  by  her  as  a  hardship,  and  protested 
against  ;  but  was  it  not,  after  all,  her  own  mistake,  in 
attempting  to  bring  and  make  operative  in  our  waters  certain 
alleged  or  traditionary  rules,  or  accepted  customs  or  usages, 
of  her  own  yacht  clubs,  and,  by  so  doing,  at  the  same  time 
ignoring  a  general  rule  of  the  sea  now  recognized  and  adopted 
by  all  the  maritime  nations  of  the  world  ?  Her  manoeuvre 
on  this  occasion  was  not  only  a  mistake,  but  an  error  in 
tactics ;  and,  though  a  hardship,  by  no  manner  of  means  a 
ground  for  protest.  On  a  subsequent  occasion  (a  few  days 
after,  in  her  contest  with  the  Sappho)  she  adopted  from  choice 
this  very  manoeuvre,  notwithstanding  she  then  was  under  no 
misconception,  but  that  either  mode  of  turning  the  stakeboat 
was  open  to  her,  provided  she  so  ordered  her  tacks  or 
stretches  as  to  avail  herself  of  such  advantage.  The 
Sappho  on  that  occasion  did  so  order  her  tacks  as  to  round 
the  stakeboat  by  going  in  stays. 

Yours,  Sea  Mist. 


FIFTH  RACE. 

Stanza  X  :  "  Friend  '  JMeter  '  of  the  Harwich  Club.'' 
IS  IT  THE  QUEEN'S  CUP  ? 


[From  the  "  Ij?mion  Timcs."^ 


Mr.  H.  Liggins,  of  No.  3  Ladbroke  square,  London,  in 
the  absence  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Ashbury,  who  is  now  in  his 
yacht  Livonia,  sailing  the  series  of  matches  against  the  New 


—   ii6  — 

York  Yacht  Club,  desires  to  correct  some  statements  made  in 
New  York  on  the  subject  of  these  races.  In  the  Times  of 
yesterday  (the  19th  of  October)  it  was  stated  that  "  Monday's 
race  {ox  the  Queen's  Cujd  was  run  in  smooth  water  and  light 
winds,"  &c.  Now,  Mr.  Liggins  thinks  it  is  of  interest  to  all 
classes  that  they  should  know  that  this  contest  is  not  for  the 
purpose  of  regaining  the  Queen's  Cup,  which  was  won  in 
185 1  at  Cowes  by  the  yacht  Bacchante,  but  that  the  Cup  won 
by  the  America  was  the  ordinary  Royal  Yacht  Squadron 
Cup,  valued  at  100  guineas,  which  has  for  many  years  been 
offered  by  them  to  "  all  royal  yacht  clubs  and  the  New  York 
Yacht  Club."  So  little,  says  Mr.  Liggins,  have  the  Ameri- 
cans valued  it  that  none  of  their  yachts,  when  over  here, 
since  185 1,  have  considered  it  of  sufficient  importance  to 
accept  the  challenge  and  try  to  possess  it.  The  same  liberal 
offer  has  for  years  past  been  made  by  the  Royal  Thames 
Yacht  Club,  but  no  persuasion  could  ever  induce  an  Ameri- 
can yacht  to  risk  the '  chance  of  defeat.  The  telegram 
published  in  the  I'imes  states  that  the  winning  vessel,  the 
Columbia,  "is  a  new  centreboard  schooner,  remarkably  fast." 
Mr.  Liggins  thinks  "  many  of  our  non-nautical  readers  may 
be  glad  to  know  that  vessels  of  this  form  of  build  are  not 
permitted  to  sail  in  matches  in  England,  for  this  reason — 
that  they  in  no  way  promote  the  improvement  of  naval 
architecture,  and  are  termed  mere  "racing  machines."  No 
country  but  the  United  States  continues  their  use,  and  here 
they  are  and  always  have  been  considered  as  pretty  toys,  not 
vessels,  ever  since  their  invention  in  this  country  in  1790  by 
Captain  Shank,  R.  N. 


THE 
LETTER  OF  DONATION,  or 

Jlccb  of  Snist 

CONSTITUTING  THE  CUP  WON  BY  THE  YACHT  AMERICA  IN   1851, 

AN  INTERNATIONAL  CHALLENGE  CUP. 


New  York,   July,  Wi,  1S67. 
To  the  Secretary  of  the  New  York  Yacht  Club  : 

Sir, 

The  undersigned,  members  of  the  New  York 
Yacht  Club,  and  late  owners  of  the  Schooner  Yacht 
"  America,"  beg  leave  through  you  to  present  to  the  Club 
the  Cup  won  by  the  "  America,"  at  the  Regatta  of  the  Royal 
Yacht  Squadron  at  Cowes,  England,  August  22d,  185 1. 

This  Cup  was  offered  as  a  prize  to  be  sailed  for  by 
Yachts  of  all  nations,  without  regard  to  difference  of  tonnage, 
going  round  the  Isle  of  Wight,  (the  usual  course  for  the 
Annual  Regatta  of  the  Royal  Yacht  Squadron,)  and  was  won 
by  the  "  America,"  beating  eight  cutters  and  seven  Schooner 
Yachts  which  started  in  the  race. 

The  Cup  is  offered  to  the  New  York  Yacht  Club, 
subject  to  the  following  conditions : 

Any  organized  Yacht  Club  of  any  foreign  country  shall 
always  be  entitled,  through  any  one  or  more  of  its  members, 
to  claim  the  right  of  sailing  a  match  for  this  cup  with  any 
Yacht  or  other  vessel  of  not  less  than  thirty  nor  more  than 
three  hundred  tons,  measured  by  the  Custom  House  rule  of 
the  country  to  which  the  vessel  belongs. 


-  ii8  — 

The  parties  desiring  to  sail  for  the  Cup  may  make 
any  match  with  the  Yacht  Club  in  possession  of  the  same 
that  may  be  determined  upon  by  mutual  consent;  but  in  case 
of  disagreement  as  to  terms,  the  match  shall  be  sailed  over 
the  usual  course  for  the  Annual  Regatta  of  the  Yacht  Club 
in  possession  of  the  Cup,  and  subject  to  its  Rules  and  Sailing 
Regulations — the  challenging  party  being  bound  to  give  six 
months'  notice  in  writing,  fixing  the  day  they  wish  to  start. 
This  notice  to  embrace  the  length,  Custom  House  measure- 
ment, rig  and  name  of  the  vessel. 

It  is  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that  the  Cup  is  to  be 
the  property  of  the  Club,  and  not  of  the  members  thereof,  or 
owners  of  the  vessel  winning  it  in  a  match  ;  and  that  the 
condition  of  keeping  it  open  to  be  sailed  for  by  Yacht  Clubs 
of  all  foreign  countries  upon  the  terms  above  laid  down,  shall 
forever  attach  to  it,  thus  making  it  perpetually  a  challenge 
cup  for  friendly  competition  between  foreign  countries. 

J.  C.  STEVENS, 
EDWIN  A.  STEVENS, 
HAMILTON  WILKES, 
J.  BEEKMAN  FINLEY, 
GEORGE  L.  SCHUYLER. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Grinnell,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  New  York  Yacht  Club  accept  the 
Cup  won  by  the  "  America,"  and  presented  to  them  by  the 
proprietors,  upon  the  terms  and  conditions  appointed  by 
them. 

Resolved,  That  the  letter  of  Mr.  Schuyler,  with  the 
enclosure,  be  entered  on  the  minutes,  and  the  Secretary  be 
requested  to  furnish  to  all  foreign  Yacht  Clubs  a  copy  of  the 
conditions  upon  which  this  Club  holds  the  Cup,  and  which 
permanently  attach  to  it. 

Adjourned. 

N.  BLOODGOOD,  Secretary. 


A  BRIEF 
Of    IN"atatical    Torixis    used,    in    tlie    foresoins    AVorlc. 


Aback — 

A  sail  is  aback  when  its  forward 
surface  is  acted  on  by  the  wind. 
Abaft— 

The  after  part  of  a  vessel ;  behind. 
Abeam — 

In  a   direction   nearly  abreast,  or 
opposite  the  side  of  the  vessel. 
Aboard — 

A    vessel  has    her   tacks    a-board 
when  the  clew,  or  lower  corner 
of  the  sail,  is  made  fast  to  wind- 
ward. 
About — 

A  vessel  is  said  to  go  about,  when 
tacking  ;  or  when  sailing  against 
the  wind  she  changes  her  head- 
ing, bringing  the  wind  on  the 
opposite  side. 
Aft— 

Beliind  ;  nearer  to  the  stern. 
All  in  the  w^ind — 

When  a  vessel's  head  points  in  the 
direction  the  wind    is   blowing 
from. 
Aloft— 

Up  above  ;  in   the  rigging,  at   the 
mast-head,  etc. 


Astern — 

Behind  the  vessel. 

Ballast- 
Iron  or  stone  placed  low  down  in 
a  vessel   to  give   her  "  second- 
ary" stability. 

Beam — 

The  greatest  breadth  of  a  vessel 
above  water. 

Beating — 

Sailing  against  the  wind,  or  close 
hauled. 

Bast  Bower — 

The  largest  of  the  three  anchors  of 
a  vessel,  called  also  right  bower  ; 
right  and  left  bower  and  stream 
anchor. 

Bilge— 

The  round  side  of  a  vessel  at  and 
under  the  water. 

Bit  in  mouth — 

When  applied  to  a  vessel,  is  when 
she  refuses  to  obey  her  helm, 
and  runs  up  in  the  wind  and 
from  her  course. 


—     I20 


Board — 

The  tack,  or  stretch,  a  vessel   is 
making  ;  and  is   long  or   short 
according  to  sea  room. 
Bone  in  mouth — 

The   foam   or   spray   at   a  vessel's 
head  when  under  way. 
Eooming — 

A  vessel  running  with  9.  free  wind 
is  said  to  be  booming  along,  be- 
cause she  "  booms  out,"  or 
spreads  her  sails,  by  additional 
spars. 
Eow^lines — 

Ropes  made  fast  to  the  leeches,  or 
edges  of  the  sail,  to  pull  or  keep 
them  forward. 

Bowsprit — 

The  spar  projecting  from  the  head 
of  the  vessel  for  the  jibs,  or 
head  sails,  to  be  set  from.  Bow- 
sprit gear  :  the  rigging,  or  ropes 
to  support  it. 
Break  Tacks— 

To  break  tacks,  when  sailing  with 
another  vessel,  is  to  change 
direction  or  heading,  and  thus 
cross  the  bow  or  stern  of  the 
other  vesse'. 
Eunting — 

Is  a  thin  woolen  stuff,  of  which 
the  colors  or  flags,  and  signals 
of  a  vessel  are  usually  made. 
Eunt — 

The  middle  part  of  the  sail,  ap- 
plied more  especially  to  square 
sails. 

Ey,  or  Large — 

Close  hauled  on  the  wind,  or  run- 
nin<r  free  with  the  wind. 


Cable  slips — 

To  slip  the  cable  is  to  let  it  run 
out   the   hawse-hole  instead  of 
taking   it    and   the   anchor   on 
board. 
Centre-board — 

Is  a  substitute  for  the  keel ;  the 
former  used  in  vessels  of  lighter 
draft,  the  latter  in  vessels  draw- 
ing more  water,  to  prevent  them 
from  making  lee-way,  or  moving 
sidewi#ds,  instead  of  going 
ahead. 
Fill  av^ay — 

Applied  to  a  vessel  falling  otiffrom 
the  wind  and    thus    filling   her 
sails. 
Flaw— 

A  sudden,   though  temporary  in- 
crease of  the  wind. 
Flowing  sheet — 

A  vessel  sailing  free,  or  with  the 
wind,  is  said  to  be  with  flowing 
or  eased-off  sheets. 

Fore-sail — 

In  two-masted  vessels  the  sail  0:1 
the  fore-mast,  while  the  main- 
sail is  on  the  main-mast,  or  spar 
farther  aft. 
Fouled— 

Applied   to  vessels  that   come  in 
contact  with  each  other. 
Free,  or  flowing  sheet — 

When  a  vessel  has  the  wind  any- 
where abaft  the  beam. 
Gybing— 

When  a  vessel  is  running  free,  and 
it  is  necessary  to  shift  or  change 
the  main  boo.-n  from  one  side  to 
the  other,  the  boom  is  said  to  be 
gibed  over. 


121 


Hand  over  hand — 

A  rapid  mode  of  hauling  in  a  rope. 

Hauled  flat  — 

Applied  to  the  sails  when  sheeted 
home,  or  hauled  in  so  as  to 
stretch  the  sails  flat,  when  beat- 
ing or  tacking,  or  on  the  wind. 

Heel- 
To   incline   or  lean   over  on   one 
side. 
Helm— 

Or  tiller ;  a  wooden  bar  put 
through  the  rudder  head  to  steer 
or  guide  the  vessel ;  a  wheel  i^ 
sometimes  used  to  move  the 
tiller. 
Helms-a  lee — 

When  the  tiller  or  helm  is  pressed 
or  eased  down  to  the  leeward  or 
lower  side  of  a  vessel  in  the  act 
of  going  about  or  into  stays. 

Irons — 

A  vessel  is  said  to  be  in  irons  when 
she  is  head  to  wind,  and  will  not 
turn  or  fall  off  to  right  or  left, 
to  port  or  starboard. 

Keel— 

The  backbone  of  a  vessel  and 
being  broad  and  deeply 
immersed  in  the  water, 
prevents  her  making  lee-way, 
or  sliding  off  sideways  to  lee- 
ward. 

Kites— 

A  generic   term  for  all  the  light 

sails  of  a  vessel. 
Larboard — 

The  opposite   to   starboard ;    the 

left  side   of  the  vessel,  locking 


forward  ;    as  starboard    is    the 
right  side,  also  called  port. 

Lee  rail — 

The  rail  at  the  side  of  the  vessel, 
running  fore  and  aft,  opposite  to 
where  the  wind  is  blowing  from. 

Leeward — 

or  luard  ;  the  point  toward  which 
the  windjjlows. 


Log— 

The  daily  record  of  a  vessel's 
nautical  performance. 

Loom — 

The  apparent  rising  up  of  a  vessel, 
or   land    when    seen    over    the 
water. 
Main  topmast — 

The  spar  at  the  top  or  end  of  the 
main-mast ;  as  the  fore  topmast 
is  at  the  fore-mast. 

Pay — 

To  pay  off  is  when  a  vessel's  head 
or  bow  turns  from  the  wind. 

Peak — 

The  spar  that  stretches  the  head 
or  upper  part  of  a  fore-and-aft 
sail,  as  the  fore-peak  of  the  fore- 
sail, or  the  main-peak  of  the 
mainsail. 
Pinching — 

A  vessel  lying  as  close  to  the  wind 
as  she  can,  and  occasionally 
luffing  a  little  more,  is  said  to 
be  pinching  up. 

Point — 

A  vessel  is  said  to  point  or  head 
in  a  certain  direction  ;  points 
well  up  ;  that  is,  lies  close  to 
wind. 


122 


Port— 

The  left  side  of  a  vessel,  used  in- 
stead of  larboard  in  directing 
the  helmsman. 

Port  tacks — 

Similar  ropes  to  the  starboard 
tacks,  only  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  sail ;  hence  the  terms, 
on  the  starboard  or  port  tack, 
because  when  close  hauled  the 
vessel  is  dependent  upon  those 
ropes  for  beating,  tacking,  or 
turning  to  windward. 

Quarter — 

That  part  of  the  vessel  between 
the  main  chains  and  the  stern. 

Quarter  badge — 

Tlie  ornament  on  the  side  of  a 
vessel  at  her  extreme  stern  or 
quarter. 

Rags  and  Dimity — 

Familiar  expressions  for  the  sails 
of  a  vessel. 

Royals  and  Skysails — 

The  most  lofty  sails  of  a  square 
rigged  vessel. 

Score — 

An  imaginary  line  from  or  over 
which  vessels  racing  are  to  cross 
when  making  a  flying  start,  or 
starting  while  under  way. 

Scupper — 

Scuppers  are  holes  or  openings  at 
the  side  of  vessels  to  let  the 
water  run  overboard  from  the 
deck. 


Sheets — 

Sheets  are  the  ropes  that  trim  or 
haul  the  sails  in  board  ;  starting 
sheet  is  to  ease  or  let  them  off 
more  or  less. 

Ship's  husband — 

The  captain  or  master  is  denom- 
inated the  ship's  husband. 

Spars — 

Ajiplied  to  the  masts  of  vessels, 
lull  includes  other  smaller  sticks 
on     wliich    sails    are    bent    or 

hoisted. 

Squill  gee — 

A  wooden  hoc,  edged  with  leather, 
to  scrape  the  water  from  the 
decks  after  washing  down  ;  the 
nautical  or  marine  sponge. 

Starboard — 

Tlie  right  side  of  a  vessel,  looking 
forward. 

Starboard  tacks — 

Are  the  ropes  on  the  right  side  of 
the  sail,  keeping  its  forward  part 
to  windward,  while  the  sheets 
liaul  it  flat  to  leeward. 

Stays— 

Wlicn  a  vessel  beating  or  tacking 
changes  her  heading,  or  goes 
about  on  the  other  tack,  she  is 
said  to  I)e  in  stays  while  so  do- 


Steer — 

To  guide  a  vessel  by  the  move- 
ment of  her  helm,  tiller,  or 
wheel. 


123 


stitch— 

A  generic  term  applied  to  the  sails 
of  vessels,  as  every  stitch  of  can- 
vas. 

Tack — 

The  course  or  heading  of  a  vessel 
when  beating  or  going  against 
the  wind. 

Under  foot — 

When  the  anchor  is  dropped  while 
the  vessel  has  still  headway  on, 
it  is  said  to  be  dropped  under 
foot. 

Wake— 

The  track  the  vessel  makes,  or 
leaves  behind  her,  as  she  passes 
through  the  water. 

Ware — 

A  vessel  is  said  to  ware  ship  when 
she  is  sailing  free,  and  she 
changes  her  heading  from  the 
wind. 

Weather — 

To  weather  is  to  go  to  windward 
of  a  vessel  or  other  object. 


Weather  bow — 

That  side  of  the  bow,  or  head  of 
the  vessel,  that  is  toward  the 
wind. 

Weather  gage — 

A  windward  position. 

Weigh  anchor — 

To  weigh  anchor  is  to  get  the  an- 
chor from  the  bottom. 

Where-away — 

A  nautical  query  as  to  the  bearing 
or  direction  of  distant  vessels. 

Windward — 

Toward  that  point  from  which  the 
wind  blows. 

Wing  and  Wing — 

When  fore-and-aft  rigged  vessels, 
schooners,  sloops,  etc.,  have  the 
wind  dead  aft,  or  neaidy  so,  they 
boom  out,  foresail  and  mainsail 
and  jib  on  opposite  sides  of  the 
vessel. 


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